The Nigeria Ports Authourity (NPA) has explained that what happened in one of the terminals at Tin Can Island port on Tuesday was not an explosion as was reported by a section of the media(Shipping Position Daily not inclusive).
In its official reaction to the fire incident, NPA in a statement by its general manager, public affairs, Chief Michael Ajayi confirmed that there was indeed a fire outbreak, but not an explosion, even as it confirmed that the accident took place at the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT).
The Nigeria Ports Authourity (NPA) has explained that what happened in one of the terminals at Tin Can Island port on Tuesday was not an explosion as was reported by a section of the media(Shipping Position Daily not inclusive).
In its official reaction to the fire incident, NPA in a statement by its general manager, public affairs, Chief Michael Ajayi confirmed that there was indeed a fire outbreak, but not an explosion, even as it confirmed that the accident took place at the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT).
According to the image maker, “it is true that there was a fire incident at the stacking area of Terminal 4b operated by Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) at about 16.15 hrs of Monday 23rd April, 2012.”
Explaining how it actually happened, NPOA said that “a diesel truck, while dispensing fuel into a Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) at the stacking area of Terminal 4b had a burst hose which spilled fuel on the generator being used for that purpose and this resulted in fire outbreak. Consequently, the heat of the fire affected a 40 foot container.”
The statement added that there was however, “a successful evacuation and rescue operation” and that “the extent of damaged cargo in the container has been assessed.”
The NPA also confirmed that there was casualty, and frowned that the “the story as reported is grossly misleading as it could lead to numerous interpretations that have nothing to do with normal operations of the terminal operators.”
The statement also urged the “terminal operators to be mindful of adequate safety measures in the course of carrying out their operations”, even as it reassures port users and terminal operators of the safety of the working environment in the port at all times.
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