NPA Boss Dr. Dantsoho on Urgent Port Infrastructure Needs

Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority, identified outdated port infrastructure as a major challenge hindering efficient maritime operations across West and Central Africa.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by port managers in the region, Dantsoho noted that ports such as Apapa, Tin Island, and Port Harcourt, which were built decades ago, are no longer suitable for modern shipping demands. He emphasized that Apapa Port is 100 years old, Tin Island Port is 50 years old, and Port Harcourt Port is also 100 years old, with infrastructure that fails to accommodate the evolution of global shipping.

Dantsoho drew parallels between technological advancements in home infrastructure and the need for ports to evolve, stating that modern vessels are significantly larger than those for which African ports were originally designed. He stressed the necessity for sustained investment and collaboration to modernize port infrastructure, which is crucial for improving competitiveness across African ports.