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Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) has inaugurated five new committees to spearhead reforms and drive innovation at the nation’s seaports. The committees were unveiled during a ceremony held on Tuesday, marking a renewed commitment to enhancing port operations and the overall maritime sector.
The newly established committees are:
– Ports Legal Committee chaired by Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN), with Mrs. Gloria Kanabe as Vice Chairperson.
– Port Operations and Logistics Committee chaired by Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu, with Dr. Ikenna Nwosu as Vice Chairman.
– Finance and General Purpose Committee chaired by Ify Akerele, with Mrs. Blessing Osakwe-Ogo as Vice Chairperson.
– Research Development, Consultancy, and Training Committee chaired by Prof. Bamidele Badejo, with Hajia Aisha Ali-Ibrahim as Vice Chairperson.
– Media/Publicity Committee chaired by Dr. Hope Orivri, with Mr. Kenneth Jukpor as Secretary.
In his address, NPCC Chairman Mr. Bolaji Sunmola charged the appointees to see their roles as a patriotic responsibility to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s seaports. He emphasized collaboration, creativity, and dedication as key to driving growth in the maritime sector.
“The success of the NPCC lies in our ability to harness the expertise, creativity, and collective wisdom of all committee members,” Sunmola stated. “Let us refocus NPCC and work with our hearts to meet the great expectations of the marine and blue economy of our dear nation.”
Sunmola highlighted the NPCC’s enduring role as a cornerstone of the Nigerian maritime industry, advocating for sustainable growth through its work in advisory, arbitration, consulting, and trading. He also acknowledged the foundational contributions of previous committees, urging the new teams to build on their legacy.
The NPCC Vice Chairman, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN), administered the oath of office to the committee leaders. She encouraged them to approach their roles with diligence and outlined their key functions through detailed terms of reference.
Anishere also granted the committees the flexibility to co-opt additional members, provided the NPCC leadership approves.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated committees, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu, Chairman of the Port Operations and Logistics Committee, expressed gratitude and pledged their commitment to delivering results.
He emphasized the importance of having access to critical legislation, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Act and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023, to ensure the committees operate effectively.