In line with her resolve to reposition Nigerian Sea ports to render efficient and cost effective services to ports users, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, has launched four operational, multi-purpose tug boats to enhance sea port operations.

Named Mt. Daura, Mt. Ubima, Mt. Uromi and Mt. Majiya, each was launched by the Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, Barister Mrs. Constance Harry Onukwagha, Chief (Dr.) Mrs Adenike Akande and Senator Binta Masi Garba in turns.

Hadiza Bala Usman disclosed that the commissioning of the boats was to enhance Port efficiency and meet Stakeholder’s expectations in Nigeria’s shipping sector. She called for support from stakeholders to help the Federal Government succeed in its economy diversification drive.

According to Hadiza, NPA was fulfilling its obligations to manage the 13.5 metres Lagos Channels to address challenges in the Port business in partnership with the Lagos Channel Management Company (LCM).

She also informed that over a hundred critical wrecks have been removed from the Lagos Channesl in the last few years.

In her words “this is indeed a milestone in the efforts to improve Port efficiency,  ensure safe navigation and improve the fortunes of NPA and Nigeria in general”.

With over 13.5 metres depth achieved on the Lagos channels, Hazida expressed hope that the biggest of the WAFMAX series of vessels will soon call at the Lagos Ports.

General Manager, Monitoring and Compliance, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu stated that the tug boats were being commissioned and deployed to expedite voyage to and from the sea in line with changing transport dynamics.

He further revealed that NPA maintains tier-2 status in line with MARPOL convention with the capability to arrest pollution before they spread to other areas of concerns.

Ebubeogu said the tugs could be used for salvage operations, firefighting, search and rescue amongst others.

Chairman Board of Directors, NPA, Mr. Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye, while commending Hadiza for her efforts challenged her to ensure that Nigeria develops the capacity to build similar tug boats in the next five years.

The Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral F.D. Bobai congratulated the NPA for the boats but called for greater synergy with the Navy especially in the area of trainings.

Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside was represented at the event by the Agency’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alhaji Bashir Jamoh.

While pledging support to NPA in effecting maritime development, Dakuku re-announced plans by NIMASA to import a floating dock for the purpose of vessel maintenance in Nigeria.

According to Dakuku “let me state here again that NIMASA will soon take delivery of the 5^th largest modular floating dockyard on the African continent. This Dockyard will save the Federal Government of Nigeria, at least, 100 million dollars annually. This will be direct savings from the dry docking of vessels operating in Nigeria, which are mostly done outside the country at the moment. It is our desire to partner the private sector to run the dockyard. This and many more are the initiative the Agency is putting in place to better the fortunes of the Nigerian maritime sector”.

Recall that NPA had the Continental Ship Yard as a subsidiary years back-with a Floating Dock and other Vessel maintenance equipment which cannot be accounted for anymore.