NPA, Guangzhou Port Authority(GPA) sign MoU on efficient port operations

Share this

MD Nigeria Port Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman (right) and the Deputy Director
General, Guangzhou Port Authority, China Yue Yuan (left) during the signing of
the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on establishing sister Port relationship
between the two ports at the 2018 IAPH Conference in Abuja.

The Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority
(NPA) on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Guangzhou Port
Authority, the largest comprehensive hub Port in Southern China have entered
into a sister Port Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning greater
efficient port operations.

The MoU, which was signed on September 18, 2018 at the ongoing maiden African Regional
Conference of the International Association of Ports and Harbour (IAPH) at
Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, would strengthen communication and cooperation
thereby enabling synergy and collaboration amongst the two ports authorities.

Guangzhou is the main transit Port of raw materials, energy supplies and
Foreign Trade as well as the key support chain in Southern Region of China.

The agreement would also deepen
infrastructural and Port Scientific Technological Developments including matters
bordering on capacity building, efficient customer service delivery, administrative
excellence and greater operational efficiency.

Other subjects captured in the MoU would
comprise of joint promotion of effective logistics in trade facilitation in
order to enhance Port capacity for the service of regional economic growth on
non -committal basis with information sharing being the main pivot and
foundation of all consultations.

Furthermore, the MoU would prioritize the
advancement of green Port development and environmental protection such as energy
saving and emission reduction.

It would uphold the establishment of an
information exchange mechanism in order to enshrine new developments in Port
operation with modern information technology driving the process are imbibed
across board.

There are also the expectations of training
programs exchange for management staff and technical specialists and other
areas of expertise such as loading and uploading of machinery and equipment, Electrical
facilities, safety engineering and information technology applications.

The operation of the MoU is for a duration
of 2 years in the first instance from the date the parties appended signatures
on mutual beneficiary basis renewable yearly.

The two parties would keep to
confidentiality of information exchange, a requirement spelt out to remain
valid even after the expiration, releasing or termination of the MoU.

In case of inability to perform any obligation
as occasioned by the MoU, no party would be held responsible if the inability is
caused by unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances, which whether accidental or
not, is beyond the control man or any of the parties as a result of the aforementioned
referred to as (FORCE MAJEURE).

The document would be terminated when any
of the parties writes the other stating and giving 2 weeks notice or by way of
the afore stated situation, “FORCE
MAJEURE”.

Upon the dissolution of the MoU, the
parties resolved to promptly and adequately settle disputes amicably.

The collaboration was borne out of
distinctive desire of the parties at ensuring they attain competitive advantage
prioritizing greater and efficient customer service amidst the tenets of best
practices.

The Managing Director NPA, Hadiza Bala
Usman endorsed on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while deputy
director general, GPA Yuan Yue (Ann) signed for the people’s
Republic of China.

The event was witnessed by the Honourable
Minister of Transportation, Right Honourable Rotimi Chibuike Amechi.