MD NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman

 

BY FRANCIS EZEM

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman has urged the various security agencies operating at the seaports to do more towards intelligence gathering and sharing to ensure effective security at the nation’s various seaports and other border stations.

The Managing Director, who spoke while giving a goodwill message at the just concluded 2018 edition of the annual conference of Ports Facility Security Officers Forum of Nigeria which held in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, therefore 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.

The theme of annual conference, which is the 4th in the series was “Integrated Maritime Security Architecture; A Panacea for Economic Growth of Nigeria and was hosted by the Niger Delta Maritime Security Area.

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 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 organisation will continue to support the security officer in their efforts to ensure continuous safety of Nigeria’s maritime domain.

Highlight of the conference was the presentation of awards to individuals and organisations for their contributions to the development of the forum. The organisational award went to the NPA, NorthWest Petroleum and Gas Company LTD, Crown Flour Mills etc, while individual awardees include former chairman of the forum, Alhaji Anataku Suberu, Calabar Port Manager, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu, National Vice Chairman, Dr. Ignatius Uche and the chairperson, Local Organising Committee for the conference, Mrs. Gloria Ayika.

Some the dignitaries at the opening session were; the representative of the Flag Officer, Commanding Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Adaji, Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police, Eastern Ports, Port Harcourt, Mr. Alex Okpara, Calabar Port Manager, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu, General Manager, ECM Terminals Ltd, Mr. Diran Akorede and Deputy Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. C D Wada, among several others.