The Federal government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has inaugurated modern Control Towers for the Lagos and Tin Can Island Port complexes to boost efficiency and revenue generation.
On Thursday, Mr Mohammed Bello Koko, the Managing Director of NPA, said safety and security constitute critical operational preconditions towards actualizing the Authority’s regional hub status.
While calling for adequate and improved maintenance culture by users of the facility, he noted that the tower would improve the port’s capacity and service delivery for stakeholders within the industry.
Koko added that the facility would increase collaboration between government agencies.
“The commissioning of the control tower signposts our unwavering commitment towards improving operational efficiency through aggressive infrastructure and equipment renewal.
“The diversity of functions such as Vessel Traffic Management, Navigation Assistance, Advance Visibility, Safety and Security, Emergency Response, Communication, Resource Management and Disaster Risk Mitigation amongst other crucial functions which a control tower enables, are the reasons why we placed the equipping of this facility on top priority as the management team.
“Sustainably providing efficient port service in a safe, secure, and customer-friendly environment requires that we ensure and assure that we are up to date in terms of skill and equipment, and I would like to assure you that beyond this commissioning today, we are resolved to continually equip and re-equip this facility whilst training and re-training its users to be best-in-class.
“Let me seize this opportunity to implore all users of this facility to make the best use of this facility, and I expect that we begin to realize commensurate value for money spent.”
“Also, we are in partnership with NLNG Ship Management Limited to provide VTS to ensure improved operational efficiency.
“In keeping with our resolve to deepen synergy with sister agencies, we have constructed a building facility to provide operational comfort for government agencies that operate within the ports for both Tin Can and Apapa.
“Safety and security constitute critical operational preconditions necessary for the actualization of our strategic intent of becoming the maritime logistics hub for sustainable port services in Africa.”