By John Iwori
In a bid to enhance security in its area of operations, the Onne Port Manager, Alhassan Ismaila Abubakar has unveiled a 75 horse power high speed marine boat.
The boat was procured by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Onne Port as part of the measures to address the security challenge in its area of operations.
To ensure that the boat is properly managed and put into effective use, the boat was handed over to Marine Police, Onne Port, Rivers State.
According to him, his office had recovered abandoned fire truck. The rehabilitated fire-fighting truck is working and ready to go for deployment not only within Onne Port, but within their host communities wherever fire outbreak may occur.
He said other relevant fire-fighting equipment was also put in place to ensure performance and promptness by Onne Port fire fighters.
These were contained in a statement signed by the Port Public Relations Manager, NPA, Onne Port Complex, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mrs. Barbara Ejemeh Nchey-Achukwu.
Speaking at the unveiling of the boat, Abubakar said that the river craft was purchased to serve the Marine Police within the operational area of Onne Port.
His words: “The reason for acquiring this boat is to provide security and to aid your men in the Marine Police to provide regular surveillance of all the waterways within the jurisdiction of Onne Port”.
Abubakar observed that the boat was state of the art watercraft, strong and well built.
Abubakar said that security of life, property and the facilities within Onne Port were of utmost priority to his leadership even as he expressed joy that since he assumed office as the Port Manager last year, that there has been tremendous improvement in the security status of the port.
He disclosed that as at the time he arrived, the port facility was operating on ISPS Code level 2, but expressed joy that the situation had now changed.
“As we speak, the ISPS Code level of internationally recognised security status of Onne Port has moved to level 1, meaning that insecurity in and around Onne Port has changed”, he added.
The Onne Port Manager noted that the current security status level of Onne Port has been certified by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
