The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar has charged members of the newly-reconstituted Pilotage Boards within the four compulsory pilotage districts of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to hold inquiries concerning the conduct of pilots in the districts.
The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the reconstituted Boards within the four compulsory pilotage districts of the NPA in Abuja on last week.
The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar has charged members of the newly-reconstituted Pilotage Boards within the four compulsory pilotage districts of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to hold inquiries concerning the conduct of pilots in the districts.
The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the reconstituted Boards within the four compulsory pilotage districts of the NPA in Abuja on last week.
He also charged the members to license pilots for the pilotage districts on behalf of NPA as well as hold examinations in connection with licensing of pilots for their pilotage districts.
The Minister who reasoned that the inauguration of the pilotage Boards in the compulsory pilotage districts was a necessary requirement, reiterated that this was more so as a greater volume of imports and exports one conveyed through the port and safe navigation is required in line with International Shipping and Port Security Code (ISPS).
He explained that the members of the pilotage Boards have been carefully selected based on their competence and experience in relevant fields in the maritime industry such as Nautical Science and Marine Navigation, adding that they are therefore expected to put their experience to bear on the pilotage activities of their boards to ensure compliance with relevant laws as provided for in the Ports Act.
The Minister expressed the believe that members of the board will measure up to their responsibilities of ensuring that pilots are “appropriately appointed , monitored and sanctioned where necessary for the safe navigation of our water ways.”
Speaking on behalf of other members of the board, Chairman Lagos Pilotage District Captain Abdulganiyu Alimi assured the Minister that the members will live up to expectations of all stakeholders and would ensure that pilotage in the nation’s seaports is in conformity with international standards.
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