TheCable

Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), says the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is committed to the welfare of workers.

Speaking at the long service and merit award for staff of the NPA, which held at the weekend, Mustapha said the initiative was in line with the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to the welfare of the Nigerian workers.

Represented at the event by Niyi Adebayo, minister of trade and investment, the SGF said the administration’s plan is “evident in the commitment of the government to implement the new minimum wage as well as the payment of the pensions and gratuities of former employees of Nigerian Airways amongst others.”

Ngige presenting an award to a member of staff

“The administration will leave no stone unturned towards rewarding the dedication of its workforce,” he said.

“Nothing can be more gratifying to a dedicated worker than recognition and celebration, and I want to commend the Board and Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority for the foresight that birthed this occasion, which I understand has not held in a long time.”

Mustapha congratulated the awardees and charged them to see the honour as an incentive for better performance.

Bala Usman giving out an award

Hadiza Usman, managing director of NPA, pledged the management’s commitment to the welfare of staff, saying it is critical to the achievement of all the reforms aimed at bequeathing an agency for which all Nigerian would be proud.

“Management considers putting In place a well-motivated workforce with the requisite character, competence and capacity to optimize our rich maritime endowment towards the sustainability of the reforms we have undertaken so far,” she said.

“Without this, the sustainability of the reforms we have undertaken so far as well as the audacious goals we poised to achieve as enunciated in the 25 year development plan would remain unattainable.”

Present at the event were Chris Ngige, minister of labour and productivity; Dakuku Peterside, director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA); and Festus Porbeni, former minister of transportation.