Ease of doing business, NPA to sanitize port corridor
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY JOEL OLATUNDE AGOI (FILES) A file photo taken on April 12, 2005 shows the Apapa Terminal parked full with containers in the main Nigerian seaport in Lagos. Since January 2009, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has been battling to clear Lagos port of congestion, which has been building up since October 2008 and which has led to several thousand containers being abandoned there. Every month, an average of 70 vessels — container ships and oil tankers — arrive in the Lagos port in addition to thousands of overtime containers abandoned by importers and customs agents because of complaints over high charges. AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (Photo credit should read PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images)
The Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) in collaboration with Lagos State Government and relevant agencies have commenced on three days clean-up and sensitisation operation at the Lagos Port areas. The exercise is to clear port corridor to eliminate security threats and environmental hazards.
This exercise, tagged “NPA Security Clearance Operations 2025,” seeks to tackle the different issues hindering smooth operations at the ports and pave way for smooth operations and efficiency.
The clean-up operation covers all entries around the Tin Can Island Complex, Lagos Port Complex, Kirikiri Lighter Terminals I & II, and the port environs.
The goal is to clear out criminal elements, miscreants, hoodlums, shanties, kiosks, machinery, equipment, containers/vehicles that obstruct the free flow of traffic and pose a threat to the safety of personnel, cargo, and vessels within and around the port.
The initiative is in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) measures developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to ensure safety and security of ports worldwide.
Kick-starting the exercise, the Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho said, “the Ports access roads and environs are international corridors, and gateway to the national economy. Hence, we have a duty to enter into necessary collaborations to ensure adequate sanity for excellent service”.
He stated that “The operations will not only improve the safety and security of the ports, but also contribute to the economic growth of the nation. The congestion and delays caused by these issues have been a major hindrance to the efficient functioning of ports, affecting trade facilitation and ultimately, the nation’s GDP”.
Ably represented of Dr Dantsoho, the General Manager, Security at NPA, Mr. Anthony Edosomwan, at the kick-off of the three-day exercise said in order to ensure the success of the excercise, the NPA’s security division had previously carried out print and electronic media enlightenment campaigns to sensitise the public on the importance of the clean-up.
He seeks the support and cooperation all stakeholders, including port users, traders, and residents around the area. Saying that the negative impact of pollution and encroachment on the ports areas cannot be ignored as the clean-up operation is not only beneficial to the ports’ operations but also to the surrounding environment and the nation as whole.
According to Dr Dantsoho, the NPA’s Security Clearance Operations 2025 is part of the broader initiatives aimed at tackling congestions and pave ways for efficiency and sustainability in Nigeria’s ports.
