Gilbert Ekwugbe
In a bid to further reduce vessel-turn-around time, enhance operational efficiency at the nation’s ports of Apapa and Tin-Can, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) yesterday commissioned Control Towers at the ports in Lagos.
Speaking during the commissioning exercise, the Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko said the newly renovated Control Towers will improve Vessel Traffic Management, Navigation Assistance, Advance Visibility, Safety and Security, Emergency Response, Communication, Resource Management and Disaster Risk Mitigation amongst other.
According to him, “The commissioning of control tower signposts our unwavering commitment towards improving operational efficiency through aggressive infrastructure and equipment renewal.
“The multiplicity of functions such as Vessel Traffic Management, Navigation Assistance, Advance Visibility, Safety and Security, Emergency Response, Communication, Resource Management and Disaster Risk Mitigation amongst other crucial functions which a control tower enables are the reasons why we placed the equipping of this facility on top priority as management team.
“As most of us are aware, safety and security constitute critical operational preconditions necessary for the actualization of our strategic intent of becoming the maritime logistics hub for sustainable port services in Africa, which is why we placed high priority on putting in place a modern control tower of this nature in order enhance our domain awareness capability.”
He added, “Given the decrepit and non-functional state we met this facility, the decision to invest so much towards making it the state-of-the-art and well equipped edifice was made taking cognizance of the need to equip our highly cherished and well trained marine talents with the right tools and comfort required to deliver efficient services to our stakeholders.
“Sustainably providing efficient port service in safe, secure, and customer friendly environment requires that we ensure and assure that we are up to date in terms of skill and equipment, and I will like to assure that beyond this commissioning today, we are resolved to continually equip and re-equip this facility whilst training and re-training its users to be best-in-class.”
“It would be pertinent to mention that we are in partnership with the Nigerian Navy, to have our signal stations rehabilitated, re-equipped and located near the naval base for improved communication. Also, we are in partnership with NLNG Ship Management Limited to provide VTS that will ensure improved operational efficiency.
Also speaking, NPA’s Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Onari Brown applauded the renovation of the building, warning that it shouldn’t be turned into a residential building.
In his words, “This building is strictly a work place. It shouldn’t be turned into personal or private use of Harbor Master and Signal Men, this is not a residential building. It is for work and it’s mainly for those on duty and those who work here. This shouldn’t be used for personal or private use.”
