…As Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyeega Oyetola commissions seven Security patrol boats, to tame hoodlums, entrench a business-friendly environment
The Nigerian Ports Authority NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko has reiterated his commitment to driving traffic and productivity, particularly in the Eastern ports.
He stated this during the commissioning of seven security boats, stressing that while he was excited by the rising traffic in the Eastern ports, especially in Onne, he would not rest on the present achievement, but rather further pursue measures that would entrench a regime of a business-friendly environment, needed for higher productivity and revenue.
“This event is another testament to our commitment to continuously improve in the journey towards transforming our strategic intent of becoming the maritime logistics hub for sustainable port service in Africa from potential to actualities.
*The Minister Of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola (Middle), flanked by the NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko (Right), and the LTT Coastal and Marine Services Managing Director, Hilik Kalusky during the Commissioning of seven Security Patrol boats at Apapa, Lagos, on Thursday.
“Enhanced maritime safety, security, and compliance to global acceptable standards is one of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) deliverables under the presidential priorities of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
*Security Patrol Boats Will Boost Efficiency, Productivity, And Revenue- Bello-Koko
“Therefore, what we are witnessing today (Thursday 22, February 2024) is pursuant to achieving these deliverables in alliance with the Presidential directive with regards to performance with the MDAs; in addition to positioning us to fulfilling the fundamental requirements of security which constitutes a critical success factor in fulfilling two crucial aspects of our port concession statutory mandates of regulating maritime business and promoting Port security and safe haven for ships; and the second one, being safeguarding assets of the authority, while maintaining their optimal use.
L-R: The SIFAX Group Chairman, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi; the President-General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria MWUN; The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority NPA; and the Managing Director, LTT Coastal & Marine Services, during the commissioning of the seven Security patrol boats at the Dockyard, Apapa, Lagos, Thursday.
“The deployment of the state of the art tugboats takes us a notch higher in our compliance with the dictates of the International Ships Port Facility Security ISPS Code of the International Maritime Organisation IMO.
“I, therefore, want to, on behalf of the management and staff of the NPA, commend and appreciate our amiable Minister, for his tireless endorsement of our efforts at enhancing the competitiveness of our ports”, the NPA Managing Director said.
He thanked the authority’s security partners, viz the Nigerian Navy, Police, Army, DSS, and the Lagos State Government, whose collaboration has continued to enhance the authority’s capability to detect, deter, and respond to security threats, often before they happen.
“The procurement of these seven security patrol boats we are commissioning, was preceded by a robust needs-assessment process which was undertaken by a highly experienced team, drawn from our security, marine, and operations division; and also the vessels management department, who are painstaking in following the procedure outputs specifications, including necessary sea trials”.
He therefore commended their dedication and commitment to duty and professionalism.
He however refrained from revealing the distinctive features of the boats, preferring only to call them game-changers, ready to demonstrate the country’s preparedness and capacity to respond to emergencies or threats, beyond the hoodlums’ belief.
“I have chosen to refrain from mentioning those superlatives here, because of the security implications. However, I am especially delighted to say that these security patrol boats position us to achieve our set goals of driving the desired vessel traffic to the Eastern Ports of Onne, Rivers, Warri, and Calabar Port complexes; where four of these vessels to be commissioned today will be allocated.
Although None has been in recent times, witnessed increased traffic, we can not rest on our laurels; we will continue to advocate and galvanised stakeholders’ opinions to continuously grow the fortune of the Eastern port”, the NPA Boss further assured.
Meanwhile, before cutting the tape, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegbiyega Oyetola expressed his delight for the boats, especially, as they provide Nigeria with a security edge needed to boost the nation’s effectiveness, productivity and revenue, stressing that these were all the things that President Bola Tinubu’s mandate is committed to promote.
“Security is Germaine to actualising the audacious growth of his excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, envisioned for the economy for the growth of the marine and blue economy”.
