African Circle Procures More Garbage Trucks, Mini Oil Spill Response Stores

In a bid to actualize its mandate in the fulfilment of the provisions contained in marine pollution (MARPOL), one of the key conventions stipulated by the global maritime watchdog, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), African Circle Pollution Management Limited has procured more specialized garbage trucks and mini oil spill response stores.
The procurement of the specialized trucks and mini oil spill response stores were in addition to the ones it took delivery in 2014 in the furtherance of its roles and responsibilities as enshrined in the agreement it signed with the Federal Government through the management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The trucks which are six in number were specially built by Mercedes Benz for African Circle Pollution Management Limited as their types are not presently in the open market.
Speaking at the formal unveiling of the trucks and mini oil spill response stores at Finger Jetty, Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIP), Apapa, Lagos, the Executive Director, Marine and Operations in NPA, Engr. David Omonibeke commended African Circle Pollution Management Limited for the strides it has made since it signed the build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) agreement with the Federal Government over a decade ago.
Omonibeke who was represented at the occasion by NPA General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Mr. Lawrence Alabi said the Federal Government was happy that African Circle Pollution Management Limited was living up to expectations in the discharge of its mandate as enshrined in the agreement.
“There is no doubt about it. You are doing well. In fact, you are one our worthy partners in the task of fulfilling the provisions of MARPOL and we are very proud of the achievements you have made over the years. 
This is one of the reasons why we are ready to showcase what you are doing within and outside the country. In a recent meeting at IMO Headquarters in the United Kingdom, we made it clear that we are not lagging behind in addressing the provisions of MARPOL and that we are ready to showcase what we are doing to the world, anytime, any day”, he said.
The NPA Executive Director enjoined the management of the firm not to rest on its oars but continue to deliver on the provisions of the agreement it signed with the Federal Government through the authority in the years ahead.
Also speaking, the Acting Co-ordinating Manager, African Circle Pollution Management Limited, Mr. Ahmadu Fidi Ahmadu said the procurement of the additional specialized trucks and mini oil spill response stores was in line with the company desire to discharge its functions effectively.
According to him, with the procurement of more trucks and equipment, it would place the company in a vantage position to deliver its roles and responsibilities in the nation’s seaports.
The Regional Manager, South West, African Circle Pollution Management Limited, Mrs. Oyenike Shobowale in her remarks disclosed that the firm would take delivery of more trucks and equipment soon.
In order to ensure that other parts of the country also benefit from the services rendered by the firm, she revealed that some of the trucks and equipment would be deploy to the ports situated in other pilotage districts such as Calabar and Port Harcourt.
Explaining how the specialized trucks and equipment work, the Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Manager of the firm, Pastor Kingsley Okojie said the trucks have the capacity to compress 20 cubic metres of recyclable and non-recyclable waste.
According to him, the mini oil spill response stores can be used on land and water by hooking it to a truck or flying boat and deploy to the scene of any oil spill. With these mini oil spill response stores, the spread of oil spill can be curtailed to avert further damage to the environment. 
Though oil spill containment is not our primary role but the procurement of the various items in the mini oil spill response stores are meant to address any oil spill that may occur in the port environment. It is a proactive measure by this company because it would be a disaster if we fold our arms and wait till an oil spill occurs before we started looking for the equipment to curtail its spread.
African Circle Pollution Management Limited has a 25 years BOOT agreement to carry out the provisions of MARPOL as stipulated by IMO in Nigerian ports on behalf of NPA. In furtherance of this agreement, it acquired land in Snake Island, Lagos where it built a G-Force facility to tackle marine pollution, among other things.