The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said that the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi has assured Port users and other stakeholders in the maritime industry that the Authority is fully prepared to combat any emergencies and disasters that may occur at any of the nation’s seaports.
According to a statement by the Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, NPA, Musa Iliya, Mallam Habib Abdullahi gave the assurance Tuesday in Lagos while receiving members of the House of Representative Committee on Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness, who paid him a courtesy visit.
Represented by the Executive Director Marine and Operations, Engr. David Omonibeke, the Managing Director disclosed that the Authority’s Fire Service Department has become a reference point in Lagos State for its swift response to distress calls from public and private agencies in the state. This feat, he added, has attracted several commendations to the Authority.
The statement also had it that the Chairman of the Committee Honourable Ifedayo Abegunde, had told the Managing Director that his Committee was saddled with the constitutional responsibility of formulating pre-emptive policies on search and rescue operations in maritime and air transport industries.
Honourable Abegunde further said the Committee was at NPA to carry out on the spot assessment of the fire and lifesaving facilities within Nigerian Ports with a view to ascertaining if they were in line with International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Standard Organization (ISO) standards.
It further stated that the Committee, in company of General Manager, Health Safety and Environment, Engr. T.O. Talabi and Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Wale Olayiwola was later conducted round the ports in Lagos to see emergency and disaster facilities.
The Committee also visited similar facilities at Nigeria Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) and MRS tanks farms. During the tour the Committee was shown the sizes, numbers, operations of the facilities and their effectiveness were also demonstrated by Fire Officers.
Other members of the Committee include the Deputy Chairman, Honourable Ismail Hussein, Honourable Monsuru Owolabi, Hon. Taiwo Oyewole, Hon. Rufai Chachangi and Hon. Dan Akpan.
