By Amadin Idahosa
Executive Director Marine and Operations, Nigeria Port Authority, NPA, Hon. Onari Brown, has emphasized that Nigeria needs to grow its maritime sector in order to survive the covid-19 era.
He said Nigerians have come to realise that the country cannot rely on crude oil alone throughout the period Corona Virus has been suffocating the economy.
Brown stated this during his familiarization tour to the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base, LADOL Zone in the company of Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex, LPC, Apapa, Mrs. Olotu.
The Executive Director stressed that, “No country in the world thought about shutting down their seaports,” adding that the ports were all operating and used in sustaining the fight against covid-19.
Honourable Brown maintained that Nigeria’s seaports cannot be joked with, noting that NPA will always be supportive to operators and all its partners to make Nigeria’s maritime sector develop further.
He said NPA is committed to supporting the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base, especially to ensure its Maritime, Health, Agriculture and Logistics operations in Nigeria be more productive.
Brown said he is impressed with the infrastructure development in LADOL, adding the company’s heavy lift capacity makes a destination of choice.
Commenting on LADOL’s corporate social responsibility, CSR, the Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi said since inception, the company has engaged with local communities to create an understanding and work with them on a meritocratic basis.
“What that means is that you get the job if you are qualified for the job. But a lot of Nigerians have not had the experience for the specialized jobs we do. So, we are not looking for somebody who necessarily has 10 years’ experience in a field. We are looking for young people who are hardworking, honest, and ready to jump in with both feet.
“With that mantra, many of our staff have been with us for over a decade and many of them come from the local community. LADOL provides a lot of employment and training.”
She said that the covid-19 era, across Nigeria, has showcased many examples of how this crisis brought Nigerians together and renewed the country’s focus for self-sufficiency.
On LADOL’s Isolation Centre, Dr. Amy said the company will make it available to other terminal operators who need it.
Picture Caption
L-R: Nigeria Port Authority, NPA Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, Mrs Funmilayo Olotu; NPA Executive Director Marine and Operations, Hon. Ontario Brown; Managing Director LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi during the visit of Hon Onari Brown visit to LADOL’s Free Zone.
