NPA will maintain synergy with other agencies on maritime safety, says MD

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi, has assured that the organisation will continue to collaborate with other agencies to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment.
Abdullahi stated this yesterday in his office at the NPA House, Marina, Lagos, while receiving members of the Marine Board of Inquiry into MT Concept/Redffern Oil spillage in Tin-Can Island, who paid him a courtesy call.
The NPA boss listed the Nigerian Navy (NN), the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Federal Ministry of Environment, among others, as agencies the NPA will synergise with, adding that the NPA’s Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Department will continue to be empowered to enable it carry out its functions effectively and efficiently.
Earlier, the President of the Marine Board of Inquiry, Chief Magistrate Nureni Kuranga, had commended the Abdullahi for being very proactive to all issues of safety and marine pollution, which, according to him, the NPA has demonstrated since the Marine Board of Inquiry began sitting in Lagos.

Kuranga told his host that the Marine Board of Inquiry was inaugurated by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, on February 28, 2013, and has since commenced sitting in Lagos, disclosing that 10 witnesses have testified and 15 exhibits have been tendered and admitted in evidence.
He pointed out that almost 200 communities and the Lagos State Government have claimed that they were impacted by the said oil spillage.
Other members of the Marine Board of Inquiry on the delegation included: Mallam B.A. Gamawa, Mr. Dikko Bala, Barristers Abdullahi Duro and N.O Anya, Capt. Ganiyu Alimi, Engr. S Abuja Kato; and the Secretary, Mallam Nura Abdu.
The NPA team comprised the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Engr. David Omonibeke, Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Saleh, the General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment, Engr. T.O.S. Talabi, General Manager, Public Affairs, Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu and other management staff.