The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has moved to calm industry concerns that its functions may overlap with the newly created Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA).

Under the new ports economic regulatory framework, there were worries that the two agencies might duplicate responsibilities. NPA manages the country’s port infrastructure and operations, while NPERA now serves as the economic regulator for the sector.

Ikechukwu Onyemeka, NPA’s General Manager for Corporate Communications and Strategy, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit from executives of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.

Onyemaka explained that the NPA and other agencies were involved in reviewing the legislation behind the new framework before it went for presidential assent. This allowed them to examine the provisions and identify areas that could lead to overlapping roles.

He said the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has consistently encouraged agencies under the ministry to work together and make sure their mandates complement each other.

“The Minister, and by extension the NPA MD, has tried to make all the agencies under him to work in harmony,” Onyemeka said. “I’m aware that before that bill was sent, all the agencies came together by the directive of the Minister. We started looking at all the clauses, and we made sure that there are no overlaps.”

He stressed that the federal government’s goal is to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the nation’s ports, not to create confusion among agencies.

“So there’s no cause for alarm. It’s a good thing. We don’t have any problem with it. Government can’t come and introduce something that will cause chaos in the system. But we just want to make the industry work better,” he stated.

Rehabilitation of Lagos Ports Underway

In other news, the NPA said preparations have reached an advanced stage for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Lagos ports, starting with the Apapa port.

Onyemaka noted that the Authority is currently sensitising communities around the affected areas before construction begins.

“We are currently doing some sensitisation for communities around that area. Because once the construction starts, we’re going to be getting a lot of noise. So it’s important that we get the community to be notified of what we are doing,” he said.

The work will be carried out in phases to avoid a complete shutdown of port operations—either berth-by-berth or terminal-by-terminal—so vessels can continue calling while construction is ongoing.

Jobs for Local Communities

On calls for youths in port communities to benefit from employment during the project, the NPA spokesman said it was reasonable for local residents to get some of the jobs, especially menial and part-time roles.

“There will not be opportunities to get some field workers and all that from that area. I’m sure it will be part of the plan to engage youths in the community because they will need people to do certain levels of whether menial jobs or part-time jobs,” he said.

Eastern Ports Also Included

Addressing complaints that port development has been concentrated in Lagos, Onyemaka said rehabilitation plans also cover ports in the eastern part of the country. The Minister recently announced that approvals have been secured for the rehabilitation of these Eastern ports.

He explained that while the Eastern ports may not currently enjoy the same level of patronage as Lagos, they remain strategically important because they serve communities and industries in their regions.