TheCable

Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has been elected vice chairperson of the the facilitation committee (FAL) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

The IMO is the United Nations (UN) agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of pollution by ships.

According to a statement, Bala Usman was formally elected and inaugurated at the end of the week-long 43rd session of the FAL Committee in London on Friday.

Dikko Bala, alternate permanent representative to IMO; George Oguntade, Nigeria’s high commissioner to the UK; Kitack Lim, secretary general, IMO and Bala Usman in London.

The statement signed by Jatto Adams, general manager, corporate and strategic communication, NPA, said Bala Usman was elected after receiving unanimous votes and will serve for a one-year period starting from 2019 up till 2020.

In her remarks, the NPA MD, who is also vice president, African region, of the International Association of Harbour and Ports (IAPH), thanked members of the organisation for their confidence in her.

She promised to work conscientiously with other members of the committee to sustain the ideals of the IMO.

The IMO committee which is currently chaired by Marina Angsell from Sweden, works together with the 173-member states of the organisation to ensure the observance of all the conventions and protocols that ensure the safety and security in the shipping business as well as the global environment.