The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) may be looking at the possibility of renting out all spaces hitherto occupied by government and private agencies at the nation’s seaports.
The executive director, marine and operations, Dr Sokonte Davies, explained that as the port area is a commercial entity, “All tenants should be ready to pay rent at a rate to be determined by the management of the NPA”.
A statement issued by the general manager, Public Affairs, Chief Michael Ajayi, during a familiarisation tour of locations in the Lagos Ports Complex quoted Davies as explaining that the payment for the rent, as it concerns government agencies would only apply to those who have budgetary provision for such rents in the ports.
He implored operators within the port to improve the sanitary conditions at their operational areas whilst assuring that the management of the organisation would provide them with the requisite enabling environment towards ensuring efficient operation at the port to make their working condition conducive.
It is expected that NPA may rake in as high as N30bn on a yearly basis if it introduces the renting system considering the number of properties it has within the port areas.
