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NPA MD advocates deployment of FBV in low draught channels

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority
(NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman has advocated for the deployment of Flat Bottom Vessels
(FBV) in channels with low draught in the nation’s seaports.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports
Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman (middle), the President, Nigerian Chamber of
Shipping  (NSC), Andy Isichei (left), and
the Director General, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Obiageli Obi (right),  when the President of NSC paid a courtesy
visit to the MD at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Marina, Lagos. 



The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports
Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman presents a plaque to the President of
Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Adewale Jones. To his left
is the Vice President of MAAN, Bodunrin Adewole, when the Executives of MAAN
paid a courtesy visit to the MD at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Marina,
Lagos.

According to the Managing Director, the use of
the FBV in some shallow draught channels would serve as a workable solution for
the draught limitations in some channels especially in Calabar and Warri.


She recalled that it was a thing of joy that a
flat bottom 200 meter long and 61,000MT heavy vessel FBV, berthed last year in
Calabar Port despite the draft limitations of the channel. This, she explained
goes to show that such vessels can navigate in such shallow channels.

She therefore appealed to Stakeholders in the
nation’s maritime sector, especially those in the shipping sub-sector, to
devise ways of collaborating with the Authority to see the presence of more FBV
in such channels considering their comparative advantage.

While assuring that the Nigerian Ports
Authority (NPA) would be very willing to midwife and facilitate any proposal
which would help make the new arrangement possible, Hadiza Bala Usman,
expressed the strong conviction that with the cooperation
of Stakeholders such as members of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping and other
relevant stakeholders, the proposal on the FBV is realisable.

The Managing Director who was speaking in
Lagos  when she received members of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping,
led by its President, Mr Andy Isichei, assured that the Authority would be
willing to work with the chamber for the mutual benefit of both parties.

Earlier, the President of the Chamber, Mr Andy
Isichei had told the Managing Director that the shallowness of some sections of
the channels is of concern to members of the Chamber and said the FBV should be
encouraged in such channels.

Meanwhile, the NPA has reiterated that it shall
continue to accord priority attention to suggestions and recommendations from
stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector in the overall interest of the
sector.

Furthermore, Hadiza Usman gave the assurance
when she received members of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria
(MAAN) who paid her a courtesy call in her office in Lagos recently.

While urging stakeholders to come forward with
useful suggestions on critical areas of the Authority’s operations, the
Managing Director reiterated that the Management of the Authority shall
consider such submissions on their merits, and within budgetary provisions.

Hadiza Bala Usman called for a more elaborate
effort amongst stakeholders in the maritime sector, through collaboration on
specific workable areas and joint partnership.

She assured members of the Maritime
Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN) of the willingness of the Authority
to partner with the Association especially in the areas of capacity building,
technical support and arbitration and expressed strong optimism that the
relationship between the two would be of mutual benefit to the parties.

Earlier, MAAN President, Barrister Adewale
Jones appealed for greater collaboration between the Association and the
Authority, while at the same time commending the Management of the Organisation
for its bold step, which he described as germane to the growth and development
of the nation’s economy.

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