The Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners- CONMMEP has commended the appointment of Abubakar Dantsoho as the new Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority.
Dantsoho replaced Muhammed Bello-Koko who held sway as Managing Director of NPA for three years until his removal from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, last week Friday.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Public Relations Officer ( PRO) of CONMMEP, Mcanthony Onuoha, at the instance of the President, Alhaji Tunde Umar- Daniah, and made available to journalists, the association urged the new NPA Boss to bring his wealth of experience to bear as he mounts the saddle as the Chief Gate Officer at the Gateway of Nigeria’s Economy.
The congratulatory message read in part:
“We, members of the Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners, CONMMEP wish to congratulate you on your appointment as the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority.”
“CONMMEP is made up of seasoned Maritime Journalists who have consistently reported activities and events within the maritime sector for a good number of years and are still covering the beat.”
“Sir, we at CONMMEP believe that your appointment by the President and Commander -in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will revitalise and reposition NPA for seamless ports operation and economic advancement of the Nation.”
“Your splendid credentials and years of experience leave no one in doubt of the innovations and other deliverables your administration as Managing Director will bring to the organisation and to the Maritime Sector.”
“Sir, CONMMEP as a partner in Progress wishes to use the opportunity your appointment has availed us to draw your attention to our expectations from your administration.”
” Seven months into the year 2024, the NPA budget has not been released to enable them run their operations. We urge you to work with the National Assembly to stop these malfeasance.”
” There are security challenges in the ports of Apapa and Tin Can Island Complex, CONMMEP suggests that the security architecture in the ports be contracted out to private investors. This will increase confidence in our Port system and bring sanity to the ports and not their penchant for using task forces that have failed woefully over the years.”
“We request that the Maritime Media be given a slice or percentage of the NPA budget for capacity building of journalists reporting the sector.”
” CONMMEP also expects you to leave a legacy in office by digitalising the Ports to ensure efficiency and high productivity, and block revenue leakages. This will enhance Ease of Doing Business in the Ports as well as enhance our rating internationally.”
” We also want to advise that you run an open door adminstration so that stakeholders, more especially, journalists, can have access to you for better reporting of your activities. We urge you to dismantle the cartel whereby only “highly favoured” journalists are given premium to cover the activities of the organisation.”
” Sir, as Media Practitioners, we shall continue to work in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) diligently and in line with the ethics of our revered profession.”
“Sir, your appointment is a well deserved one, and we urge you to bring your wealth of experience to bear as you take charge as new NPA Boss.”
“We wish you a very successful tenure, and pray that your adminstration would go down in history as one of the best things that would have happened to the organisation and to the Maritime sector.”
“Accept the assurances of our utmost regards.”, the statement concluded.