Coordinator optimistic over port reforms
The on-going reforms in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is aimed at improving the national economy, Mr Henry Abebe, the out-going Regional Coordinator (Eastern Ports), said last weekend in Port Harcourt.
Abebe said while handing over to his successor, Mr Sotonye Utomi, that this could if all stakeholders contributed to its success.
He said the reforms would succeed if all those who would remain in the organisation after the rationalisation exercise made positive contributions to the reforms process.
Abebe urged the workers to be concerned about the success or failure of the organisation after the reforms, and advised them not to let the efforts of the management and the reforms of President Olusegun Obasanjo be in vain.
He said that the reforms had improved service delivery in the ports, made the nation's sea ports competitive in the West African sub-region, and improved customer satisfaction.
Abebe appealed to the staff of Eastern Ports to accord his successor the same respect and cooperation which they accorded him during his six months in office.
Receiving the hand-over notes, Utomi said the recent changes of officers and structure in the Authority was part of federal government reform programme.
Utomi noted that the transition phase of the reforms had been completed, while the structural phase would soon commence.
He called for the support of the staff, the public and the press to achieve the objectives of the reforms which, he said, were to make the ports more efficient and responsive to the staff and public.