The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has shut down five operating jetties, saying the gesture was in continuation of its quest to ensure total compliance with the provisions of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) code.
The five facilities were the Heyden Petroleum Jetty, Index Petroleum Oil Jetty, Waziri Jetty operated by Hemsmor Nigeria Limited, NIPCO in Lagos, while the Pinnacle Oil and Gas Petroleum, Warri, Delta State was also affected by the action.
Speaking during the exercise which lasted for about three hours, the Head of the ISPS Code Unit of the Agency, Captain Elei Green Igbogi noted that the affected jetties were given adequate notice to correct the anomalies identified, but they did not, hence the agency had no other option but to seal the facilities until they implement the minimum ISPS Code standards.
He stated further that the sealed facilities have failed to implement physical and operational security measures in their premises which pose a great danger to the ships that call at their jetties and their facilities. In addition to this, they have also failed to pay fines imposed on them.
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