The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is an agency under the Federal Government which oversees the functioning of all the ports in the country. The activities of the agency are under the direct monitoring of the Federal Ministry of Transportation. They also work hand in hand with other federal agencies like the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), The Nigerian Customs Services (NCS), The Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), The Department of State Services (DSS), Port Health and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
There are six major ports under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Ports Authority. They include Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port Complex both in Lagos State. The Calabar Port Complex in Cross River State. The Delta Ports in Warri, Delta State and the Rivers Port Complex and Onne Port Complex both in Rivers State.
The Nigerian Ports Authority’s head office is at 26/28 Marina, Lagos, Nigeria, where the General Manager for human resources is located, and receives submission of applications into the NPA as the second channel of entry for recruitment, apart from the online portal.
When Was the Nigerian Ports Authority Established?
The establishment of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) initially happened in 1954 by Ports Act (Cap 155 of the law of the Federation of Nigeria – amended in 1999 to be known as ‘the Authority’) with the functions of providing and operating necessary facilities in ports and maintaining, improving, and regulating the use of the ports; and to provide for matters connected therewith. It was initially responsible for two major ports in Lagos and Port Harcourt, and in 1969 became responsible for all other ports owned by private merchant companies with examples of Warri, Sapele and Koko Burutu.
Following the port development program in the late 1970 and subsequent changes in port administrative structure in later years (the concession program of the federal government, which is aimed at promoting efficiency through public and private partnership — the landlord arrangement as it is called), the six ports that emerged were controlled by Nigerian Ports Authority.
Expansion of The Nigerian Ports Authority
In the year, 1980, the NPA decided to expand the facilities of the ports around the country. This expansion project costs more than 190 million naira. The NPA expanded the Tin Can port, with double roll on and off facilities. It also expanded Calabar and Warri ports, built terminals in Onne, Ikorodu and Kiri Kiri, and then built a wharf in Apapa.
Concession of the Nigerian Ports Authority
Due to the inefficiency that was rife in ports management, the then president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo okayed the concession of 24 terminals to private firms for management over a given period. They will also be in charge of offloading and loading cargoes but the NPA will act as overseas and landlords.
The Nigerian Ports Authority Act
The Nigerian Ports Authority Act was formally established on 10 May 1999 in a bid to establish the Nigerian Ports Authority, with the functions of providing and operating necessary facilities in ports and maintaining, improving, and regulating the use of the Ports. The functions included providing for all matters connected with the Ports.
The Nigerian Ports Authority Act had an arrangement of presentation divided into Three schedules:
- 1 schedule [section 2 (4).] — supplementary provisions relating to the board.
- 2 schedule [section 30 (2).] — ports.
- 3 schedule [section 125 (3) (b)] — assets vested in the Authority.
And fifteen parts containing the arrangement of sections.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I: Establishment, etc., of the Nigerian Ports Authority and its Governing Board
The section under this part contains the establishment of the NPA, its governing board and members, tenure of office, etc., Removal from office, Emoluments, etc., and the Disclosure if interest.
PART II: Functions and powers
The section under this part contains the functions of the Authority, Powers of the Authority, Power to act through officer or agent, etc.
PART III: Staff
The section under this contains the Managing director and executive directors of the Authority, Other staff of the Authority, Service in the Authority to be pensionable.
PART IV: Financial provisions
The section under this contains Fund of the Authority, Reserve funds, Application of surplus revenue, Power to borrow money and raise capital from non-Government sources, Power to borrow money from Government sources, Exemption from tax, Power to receive gifts, etc.
PART V: Provisions relating to land
The section under this contains the power to Compulsory acquisition of land, etc.
You can find parts VI to XV and details in the Nigerian Ports Authority Act.
Nigerian Ports Authority Recruitment
The Nigerian Ports Authority recruitment happens from time to time. The vacancies are usually published in the national dailies and online. After applications, they release a list of shortlisted candidates who pass quality check and are accepted to report for interviews, on the NPA portal. And they warn that entrees regularly refer back to only the NPA portal page for updated news on shortlisted candidates or subscribe to the newsletter by imputing their email addresses in the bar available for subscription.
The Nigerian Ports Authority recently has the capacity of employing 5000 — 10000 employees and currently, the NPA is recruiting qualified candidates who are high performing, innovative and possessing relevant qualifications. The positions available are:
- PILOT TRAINEE
- MARINE ENGINEERING TRAINEE
- TRAINEE SEAMAN
- SIGNALMAN- IN –TRAINING
- RADIO OFFICER 11
- ASST. MANAGER RADIO
- MARINE OFFICER 11
- SENIOR MARINE OFFICER /ENGINEER
- ASST. MANAGER HARBOURS.
How to Apply for Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Recruitment
Qualified and interested candidates should send their applications with comprehensive CV including email, contact address (not P. O. Box), mobile telephone numbers, and qualification by visiting the Nigerian port authority recruitment website on http://careers.nigerianports.org/default.aspx or submit their applications to:
General Manager Human Resources,
Nigerian Ports Authority,
26/28 Marina, Lagos.
Other Services The Nigerian Ports Authority Offers
The Nigerian Ports Authority offers the following services:
- Cargo handling
- Security services
- Lands and estate services
- Marine services
- Harbor services
- Commercial services
- Health, safety, and environment services
- Engineering and technical services
