The Federal government has approved salary increments for staff of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, disclosed this at the 2022 Long Service Merit Award organized by the NPA management, weekend in Lagos.
No fewer than 387 staff members were conferred with the Long Service Merit Award out of which 11 emerged Best Employees of the Year (2022). In the merit award category; seven got special recognition awards while two senior staff members— Mr Nelson Ovbude of Delta Port, Warri, Delta State and Mr Jibril Buba of Tin Can Island Port, Lagos bagged the Best Port Manager Awards.
The cleanest port award went to Onne Port, Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, Sambo commended the management of the NPA for its commitment to staff welfare just as he pledged to support staff welfare initiatives of the agency.
He also commended the Managing Director of NPA for what he described as unprecedented performance in revenue generation.
He said, “In my maiden visit to the Authority upon appointment as Minister of Transportation, whilst, I had commended the Managing Director for the unprecedented performance in revenue generation and remittance.
“He had solicited my backing and support to fast track the processes and procedures necessary for the implementation of staff salary increase which I immediately acceded to, and today I am delighted it has been achieved,” he said.
Sambo while appreciating the awardees said that their contributions to service are signs that they are passionate and dedicated to the progress of NPA.
“Dear awardees, your contributions are nothing less than a mark of passion, perseverance and dedication. We are very proud to have such loyal and committed people representing the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and by extension the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Today, we celebrate employees who have dedicated twenty years of their lives to the service of Nigeria through the Authority for twenty years and those in the merit category who have accomplished exceptional feats through uncommon dutifulness.
“Let me pledge to you all that the Ministry under my watch will continue to provide unflinching support for all initiatives of the Authority’s management geared towards the promotion of staff welfare,” he said.
Secretary General of the Federation Boss Mustapha, also commended the increased revenue generation drive of NPA under the Bello- Koko led management, saying that the improved revenue generation informed the President’s approval of salary increase for workers.
He also congratulated the staff who were recognized for their exemplary services to the NPA and the nation urging them not to rest on their oars.
“By deploying time and resources towards organizing a prestigious event of this magnitude, the management of NPA has proven that high premium is placed on their human resources. I will like to say congratulations to the employees who been recognized today while I encourage other staff of NPA to aspire to similar recognition and reward. I employ you that with this not to rest on your oars but to give more. This is because the maritime sector is very crucial to Nigeria’s maximation of revenue,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the NPA Managing Director, Muhammed Bello Koko, commended the SGF and the Transportation Ministry for their efforts in securing President Buhari’s approval for breaking the 18-year salary stagnation.
He also thanked the workforce for their dedication and commitment to duty and service delivery towards making the NPA to realize its corporate goals.
Bello-Koko said of the achievements of the Buhari administration was the securing of the International Standard Organisation (ISO) certification for Onne and Calabar ports in 2022.
Other dignitaries present at the event were the Lagos State commissioner of Transport, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of State, Health, Hon. Ekumankama Joseph Nkama, Minister of State, Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye among others.
The high point of the event was the Presentation of awards to President Muhammadu Buhari, the SGF, and the Award of Recognition for Quality Maritime Leadership to the Minister of Transportation.
Photo caption:
L-R: Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha at NPA’s long service and merit award ceremony held in Lagos on Saturday.
