The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi has assured the Nigerian Navy of the Authority’s cooperation and support in its fight against piracy and other maritime crimes in the nation’s
water ways.
water ways.
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This was contained in a statement by the Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs of the NPA, Mr Musa Iliya, made available to newsmen in Lagos.
The NPA managing director was quoted as having given this assurance while receiving the new Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral JKZ Ango, who paid him a courtesy
visit in his office in Lagos on Tuesday, February 10, 2015.
visit in his office in Lagos on Tuesday, February 10, 2015.
The Managing Director said that although the NPA was not the designated Authority responsible for security at the Nation’s ports, it had the responsibility for collaborating with the Nigerian Navy, Marine Police and other security agencies, in order to ensure the safety of the channels for smooth navigation in compliance with International Ships and Ports Security [ISPS] Code.
Abdullahi said that the NPA was also doing itself good by assisting the Nigerian Navy, since such assistance was mutually beneficial to both parties.
He said the collaboration would further boost the contributions of the maritime industry to the nation’s economy.
On the request for assistance in the training of Tug Masters for the Nigerian Navy earlier made by the FOC, Abdullahi said that the Authority was prepared to enter into partnership with the Navy after all required consultations must have been made.
Earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Admiral Ango thanked the Managing Director for his assistance to the Nigerian Navy over the years, and that his visit to the Managing Director was part of his familiarisation tour of maritime agencies within the Western Naval Command.
Ango particularly expressed the gratitude of the Nigerian Navy for the donation of patrol boats
to the Navy in 2014, and solicited cooperation of the NPA in the continuous maintenance of the boats.
to the Navy in 2014, and solicited cooperation of the NPA in the continuous maintenance of the boats.
Rear Admiral Ango assumed duty as the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy on December 2014. Before then, he was the Chief of Staff of the Command.
Ango was accompanied on the visit by the Command Operations Officer, Commodore Amo Sunmola, Command Intelligence officer, Captain PE Meteke and other naval officers.
