NPA seeks out-of-court settlement on Calabar port dredging

The Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) says it is seeking out-of-court settlement over the dispute involving Calabar Port dredging.

Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko said this when he visited Calabar Port complex on Saturday.

According to him, the dispute was responsible for the delay in dredging the port.

“The contract for the dredging of the Calabar channel was awarded many years ago, but there is litigation between the Nigerian Ports Authority and the contractor.

“This has inhibited our ability to dredge the channel. What we have done in recent times is to start looking for an out-of-court settlement.

“The authority, working with the federal ministry of transportation and the ministry of justice, has resumed discussions in terms of how to settle this out of court, either to return the same contractor to continue dredging, or appoint another company.

“This has been delaying the dredging of that channel, we have taken it very seriously, it is one of the reasons we are here today.

“We have been discussing with shipping companies and consignees; so, we will locate major importers and encourage them to use Calabar,” he said.

He also said efforts are ongoing to make the eastern ports more active.

“Modernisation of the port is holistic, it is not just about Tin Can or Apapa.

“We are talking about holistic modernisation of all the ports owned and operated by the NPA,” he added.