Nigerian Ports Authority has promised to continued partnership with the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) organisers of the famous “Kano International Trade Fair”, for the promotion of trade and investments in the city of Kano and indeed the entire Northern States of Nigeria.
Mallam Habib Abdullahi, managing director, NPA gave the assurance while speaking on the occasion of the Authority’s day at just concluded 34th edition of Kano International Trade Fair and Kano Commerce and Investment Week.
The fair which had as its Theme: Business Alliance and Partnership for Economic Development took place between November 19 to December 3, 2013 and brought together participants from within and outside Nigeria.
Represented by Malam Mohammed Bulangu, general manager, Marine and Operations, the MD told guests that the Authority is at the fair to showcase its services to the business community in Kano.
He enumerated the several activities of the Authority meant to encourage patronage of the ports by all categories of ports users wherever they are in the country.
Earlier in a welcome address, Alhaji Farouk Rabiu Dansuleka, president of Kano Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, had commended Mallam Abdullahi for supporting a venture that seeks to unite the entire business community in the North.
Rabiu noted that the importance of the Authority to the business community in the North cannot be over emphasised, urging all exporters and importers in the North to patronise Nigerian Ports.
While asking the Nigerian Ports Authority to consider the reopening of the Kano office of the Authority, the KACCIMA President described Kano City as Number one (1) commercial centre in Nigeria, because according to him, the Lagos market depends on Kano.
He disclosed that KACCIMA is working towards the take-off of the dry port in Kano and called for the Authority support in this direction.
Responding to insinuations that NPA Kano office was closed down because the Authority does not see Kano City as relevant to his operations, Mallam Bulangu swiftly corrected that impression by stating that Kano office was closed down following the port reforms which relieves the Authority of the duty of cargo handling, warehousing and delivery.
He however, promised to convey their request for the reopening of Kano office to the appropriate Authority.