The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has tasked all terminal operators and jetty owners across the country to comply with International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) code, saying that it will bring about a secured atmosphere for port businesses to thrive.
The NIMASA, which is the Designated Authourity (DA) for the ISPS Code in Nigeria also said that for the code to be successful in Nigeria , the ports must meet the requirements.
The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has tasked all terminal operators and jetty owners across the country to comply with International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) code, saying that it will bring about a secured atmosphere for port businesses to thrive.
The NIMASA, which is the Designated Authourity (DA) for the ISPS Code in Nigeria also said that for the code to be successful in Nigeria , the ports must meet the requirements.
Assistant Director , ISPS Code at NIMASA; Engineer Hakeem Oderinde said last week at the celebrations to mark the 10th year anniversary of the ISPS Code, it was jointly organised by the agency and the Port and Facility Security Officers' Forum, Lagos Maritime Security Zone in Lagos last week.
Oderinde noted that NIMASA as the regulatory agency will continue to sustain the implementation of the ISPS code, added that the terminal operators and jetty owners have a major role to play by complying to international best practice.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports; Mr Kayode Aderanti has bemoaned the poor lightning conditions at the Lagos seaports, saying that there is the need by the concessionaires to put in place the necessary facilities as part of efforts to comply with the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) code.
The Western Ports Police also called on the concessionaires to install detectors at their respective terminals following the security challenges faced in the country.
The Commissioner who was represented by his Assistant, Mr. Olumide Kayode harped on the need for terminal operators to install the necessary equipment to monitor activities of people and trucks that exit and enter the ports.
He appealed to the terminal operators to be conscious of chemical substance that could be explosive, which in turn may lead to causing havoc at the seaports.
"I have gone round the ports and I am not pleased with the state of the lighting conditions at the terminals at night", he told the gathering
He reiterated that, "the lighting at the terminals are very poor, I don't understand why it is so and I believe I am talking to the right people now because without proper lighting at the terminals, how can the equipment perform more effectively", he said.
Aderanti said that for the concessionaires to be proactive there is the need to be vigilant both at night and during day time operations.
He therefore urged security officials operating at the ports to be security conscious, noting that the ISPS code is important and should be upheld at the seaports.
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