Bala-Usman advocates improved security at seaports

Hadiza Bala Usman - NPA

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman has called on all Ports Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) to double their efforts and remain ever vigilant in their various facilities in order to curb high level of insecurity and threats in Nigeria’s maritime domain.

Bala-Usman made this call in her goodwill message to the 2018 edition of the annual conference of Ports Facility Security Officers Forum of Nigeria (PFSOFN), which took place in Calabar, Cross River state during the weekend.

She further urged the PFSOs to pay special attention to intelligence gathering and sharing of information with other security agencies at the ports, noting that this will further enhance effective performance of their duties.

Represented by the General Manager Security, Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu, she commended the officers for their commitment to duty particularly on the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Security Code (ISPS Code) since its inception in 2004, by keeping ports facilities and the entire maritime industry safe over the years.

While reiterating the preparedness of the authority to collaborate with all relevant security agencies and other stakeholders for improved security at the ports, she disclosed that the organization will continue to support the security officer in their efforts to ensure continuous safety of Nigeria maritime domain.

The theme of the conference was “Integrated Maritime Security Architecture; A Panacea for Economic Growth of Nigeria”. 

Highlight of the conference was the presentation of awards to individuals and organisations for their contributions to the development of the PFSOFN.