NPA Fully Prepared for Emergencies, Disasters- MD

Mallam Habib Abdullahi, managing director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has assured Port users and other stakeholders in the maritime industry that the Authority was now fully prepared to combat any emergencies and disasters that may occur at any of the nation’s seaports.

Giving the reassurance, while receiving members of the House of Representative Committee on Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness, who paid him a courtesy visit, Abdullahi  who was represented by Engr. David Omonibeke, executive director, Marine and Operations, disclosed that the Authority’s Fire Service Department was now so good that it had become a reference point in Lagos State, for its swift responses to distress calls from public and private agencies  in the state; adding that the feat, was presently attracting several commendations to the Authority.

Earlier, Ifedayo Abegunde, chairman of the Committee 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.

Abegunde highlighted that the Committee was in NPA to carry out an on the spot assessment of the fire and lifesaving facilities within Nigerian Ports with a view to ascertaining if they are in line with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and International Standard Organisation (ISO) standards.

The Committee, in company of Engr. T.O. Talabi, general manager, Health Safety and Environment, and Mr Wale Olayiwola, chief fire officer, was later conducted round the ports in Lagos to see emergency and disaster facilities.

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.

The Committee also visited similar facilities at Nigeria Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) and MRS tanks farms.

The Committee, according to Musa Iliya, NPA asst. general manager, Public Affairs, was later shown the sizes, numbers, and operations of the facilities and their effectiveness as demonstrated by fire officers.