PH Mundial – Port Harcourt Online Newspaper News Across The Region
Related Articles
Management of the Rivers Port, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has intensified efforts to see an end to the face-off between the Port Terminal Operators Limited (PTOL), one of our terminal operators at the port, and importers and shipping agents using its services.
This became known as the leadership of the Maritime Energy Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MEMPON), led by Amb (Dr) Ralph John, Tuesday paid a visit to the manager of the Rivers Port, Mr Bello Abubakar.
Port Terminal Operators Limited (PTOL) had in a move, which stakeholders at the port described as strange, hiked its tariffs, setting importers and shipping agents using its services off on a protest against the increase.
Fielding questions from members of MEMPON on Tuesday, Rivers Port manager, Mr. Bello Abubakar, indicated that the recent tariff increase by the terminal operator may not have gone down well with NPA, the landlord of the port.
He said NPA has been trying to prevail on Port Terminal Operators Limited (PTOL) to reverse the increase and maintain status quo, adding that PTOL did not consult NPA before the tariff hike.
The port manager who said there was no need for such increase, noted that the PTOL’s action heightened tension at the port.
Abubakar said that they have written several letters to PTOL to reverse the tariff to no avail. He however said that all hope is not lost, as they are still discussing the issue, with the hope to arrive at an amicable settlement.
“On the tariff increase by one of our terminal operators, PTOL, we have written several letters to them and asked them maintain status quo, but to no avail. We are still talking and are optimistic that the issue will be sorted out,” he said.
He thanked MEMPON for the visit and assured them of the cooperation of NPA, Rivers Port under his watch.
“Let me thank you for your visit and cooperation in the maritime industry, especially to NPA and other stakeholders in the maritime industry. I want to assure you that as port manager, Rivers Port we will continue to cooperate with the media and indeed MEMPON. So continue to play your role as media practitioners and on our part, we will partner with you,” Abubakar said.
National President of MEMPON, Amb (Dr) Ralph John, had earlier told the port manager that they were in his office to identify with the Rivers Port, re-establish the synergy that has existed between it and the NPA.
Vice President of MEMPON, Mr Barth Ndubuwah, assured the port manager of the media group’s commitment to work with him and his team in the area of information dissemination for maximum productivity.
