Godwin ORITSE

THERE is no doubt that the new role of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has made it imperative for its management to focus seriously on the development of infrastructure, for the common use of providers and users of port services and also for safe pilotage and berthing of cargo- laden ships.

It is obviously with this in mind that the incumbent Managing Director of NPA, Engr. Omar Suleiman came into the saddle in December 2010 and set out to ensure that the entire port system runs without any encumbrances.

Certainly, he had all these well thought –out, when he specifically included issues bordering on development of infrastructures as one of his cardinal programmes.

Specifically, he mentioned development of new port facilities as well as repairs and maintenance of buildings, wharves/corrosion, protection, roads and sidings, vessels, buoys, channels and waterways; including buoyage system, motor vehicles, office furniture and office equipment.

Within the context of making Nigerian Ports to fulfill its aspiration of becoming the hub in the West African region, Engr. Suleiman also included development of necessary infrastructure as part of efforts to achieve this.

He equally promised to expand existing port facilities in order to cope with the increasing cargo traffic and also tackle port congestion.

In fulfillment of these promises, since he took over as the chief executive officer of NPA, Suleiman has intensively developed port infrastructure, both within the Western and Eastern operational flanks of the NPA.

No doubt, the increasing ship and cargo volume since the advent of port concession have taken their tolls on port facilities. As a result of constant use, the ports infrastructure and super structures are subjected to environmental degradation, accidental impact by vessels and quay apron damage resulting in serious deterioration of the facility. NPA therefore decided that major rehabilitation of the port facilities was required starting with the quay wall and quay apron of Tin Can Island port. The project is already about 70 per cent completed.

One of the major demonstration of determination to ensure that port facilities are top-shape is the rehabilitation of the Lagos harbour moles which were constructed more than 100 years ago .To underscore the importance of the project, at the assumption of office, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar in company of the Managing Director, NPA visited the site. As at when they last visited, the all-important project was about 98 per cent completed.

In a similar vein, the management of NPA under Engr. Omar Suleiman has awarded contract for the supply and installation of marine fenders (Zones 1, 2 and 3) in all the sea ports to protect both vessels and the quay walls against damages and to also allow for smooth maneuvering of vessels alongside the quays during berthing.

The whole of Western zone is currently a huge project site, courtesy of the management team of Engr. Omar Suleiman. Specifically, the management of the NPA has completed remedial works on the Tin Can Island port service lane; an achievement that has aided vehicular and human movement around that axis of Apapa.

Also completed is the rehabilitation of access road to the Lily pond Container Terminal as well as remedial works on the existing carriageway. The Omar Suleiman administration has also completed rehabilitation works on the Access Control system and the installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) systems at Lagos and Port Harcourt ports.

To aid navigation, the Omar Suleiman administration has devoted ample attention to the organisation’s marine division where it has not only acquired 69 channel marking buoys for Lagos pilotage district, but, has also rehabilitated all light houses and aids to navigation in Lagos harbour. In addition, the first phase of new anchorage in Lagos pilotage district has been completed.

Significantly, the management of NPA has taken the bull by the horns and has gone ahead to build two tug boats and two pilot cutters; they are due to be delivered in the country soon.

To further boost infrastructure, the management has also established a new signal station in the Calabar pilotage district, to enhance maritime communication from the Calabar fairway buoy to Calabar port, for the purpose of safety, security and protection of marine environment.