NPA Honours Members Of Staff, Promise To priorities Welfare Of Workers

Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman (3rd left), the Minister of Labour & Productivity, Chris Ngige (4th left) , Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Dakuku Peterside (2nd left) and other guests at the NPA Long Service & Merit Awards in held in Lagos, Saturday.

The Managing Director of The Nigerian Ports Authority NPA Hadiza Bala Usman,  has said it would stop at nothing in promoting professionalism, enhancing the welfare and wellbeing of its staffers who it believes are crucial to the country’s attainment of a hub status within Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hadiza Bala Usman, who spoke at the occasion of the year 2017/2018 Long Service/Merit Award ceremony of the authority held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos at the weekend, assured that the current management under her watch is determined and committed to recognising the efforts of its workforce who have contributed positively over the years in the area of optimal dedication and a high level of professionalism at all times.

She said: ‘’The management considers putting in place a well-motivated workforce with the requisite character, competence and capacity to optimise our rich maritime endowments towards the sustainability of the reforms we have undertaken so far. Without this, the sustainability of the reforms we have undertaken so far as well as the audacious goals we poised to achieve as enunciated in the 25- year development plan would remain unattainable”

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr. Boss Mustapha, who was represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo while commending the Board and Management of the NPA for putting together the award ceremony, stated that the event goes to show the high premium the authority places on its human resource which has paid dividend across board especially within the maritime industry.

According to him, the event could not have come at a better time as it falls in line with the agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration which prioritises the welfare of its workers regardless of whether they are still in service or retired. He charged the awardees to reciprocate the gesture of appreciation by the authority as the Federal Government expects them to bear in mind the copious role the maritime industry plays in the realisation of the administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan ERGP; hence they should put in more efforts.

The Minister of Labour and Productivity Dr. Chris Ngige while applauding the authority for aligning with the objective of the Federal Government in the area of improved welfare and appreciation for the workforce stated that the present administration would continue to invest assiduously in the welfare of the Nigerian workers in the development of the nation. This he further stressed has been exemplified through the recent approval of the National Minimum Wage and resolution of industrial disputes.

In a brief remark, chairman, Governing Board of the NPA, Emmanuel Adesoji Adesoye stressed that the event was part of the resolution of the board in promoting Staff welfare which it believes would boost efficiency and commitment to the development of the Maritime sector in Nigeria.

The event also witnessed the presentation of various categories of awards to personnel who have shown exemplary conduct and a high level of professionalism, which contributed to the growth of the authority, and was graced by members of the NPA board, past Managing Directors and captains of industries within the maritime sub-sector.