NPA raises stake in port security, information concerns, unveils SIOC at Apapa Port
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has stepped up concerns on issues of port security and information management with the commissioning of the Security Information and Operating Centre (SIOC) at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, Lagos yesterday, Thursday.
The launch, according to industry observers is a demonstration of the agency’s determination to lift the NPA in terms of infrastructural development and rehabilitation so as to achieve efficiency and in the provision of enabling environment for businesses at the Ports.
Business Hilights recalls that late last year, the NPA also commissioned the digital platform for surveillance along the nation’s coastlines to boost maritime safety and security on the territorial waters under the leadership of Hadiza Usman at the Lagos Head office by the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Roitimi Amaechi.
Explaining more during the launch at Apapa Port complex, Usman averred that issues concerning the Safety and Security Standards would be prioritized forthwith in line with international best practices.
She noted that the official commissioning of Safety, Security Information and Operations Centre of the Lagos Ports Complex today at the Apapa Ports, remains “a facility developed for the purpose of providing prompt dissemination of information to all Ports users and the public in the Port Community, adding that it was designed to operate round the clock”.
According to her, the recently resuscitated Electronic Display Information Board (EIDB) at the entrance of the Port is an extension of the Safety, Information and Operations Centre which will provide information to all Stakeholders and the general public at all times.
Coming with facility included in the new facilities is the Customer Care Unit (CCU) which she said would handle complaints and suggestions concerning the Port.
In his goodwill message, the Vice Chairperson and Chief Executive Director of ENL Consortium, Dr. (Mrs) Vicky Haastrup appreciated the Managing Director and affirmed that the Port Manager, Mrs. Aisha Ali-Ibrahim is a proactive goal getter who has really helped to improve the art of doing business in the LPC.
In her own views, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Deep Offshore and Logistics (LADOL), Dr. Amy Jadesimi expressed her pride in the stride that Nigeria is making in the Maritime Industry and that in a short time, Nigeria would be the hub of Maritime activities in the West African sub-region and indeed the whole of the continent.
In her closing remarks, the Port Manager LPC Mrs Aisha Ali-Ibrahim acknowledged and appreciated the presence of all that attended the event.
The event was witnessed and followed by vast Stakeholders in the sub-sector while top Management, the Executive Directors Marine and Operations, Dr. Sokonte Huttin Davies and Engineering and Technical Services, Professor Idris Abubakar accompanied the managing director on the very auspicious event.
