MD NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman

The Nigerian Ports Authority NPA has cleared the right of way following an accident at the First Gate of the Tin Can Island Port Saturday evening involving a truck laden with container, in which no casualty was recorded.

A statement issued by the General Manager in charge of Corporate and Strategic Communications unit of the authority, Adams Jatto yesterday, said the authority regrets any inconvenience the general public, especially the port community may have suffered on account of the unfortunate incident.

He also assured of prompt response by the authority in such situations.

The statement reads in part: “The attention of the public is being drawn to the unfortunate accident involving a truck laden with a container and three imported cars at the Firs Gate end of the Tin Can Island Port, Apapa in the evening of yesterday, Saturday June 15, 2019 in which no casualty was recorded, no injury and no life was lost.

“Our investigation showed that it was while the truck driver was trying to manouvre his way that the container tipped and crushed already parked vehicles.

“While this incidence is regrettable, the NPA as a responsible organisation has since removed the container to provide access to port users to guarantee the ease of doing business within the port environment..

“The NPA assures her various customers and stakeholders of her continued responsibilities in ensuring that all necessary measures are taken in providing a secured and friendly environment for customer satisfaction and efficient service delivery.

“We regret any inconvenience this accident may have caused the general public, especially the port community and assure of prompt response to such accidental issues when they occur”.

Meanwhile, some stakeholders, who reacted to the rather unfortunate incident, commended the prompt response by the NPA in ensuring that the right of way was cleared almost immediately to facilitate easy flow of traffic.

They also enjoined the truck owners to always ensure that their trucks are in good shape as well as ensuring that the containers are properly strapped to the trucks to forestall a situation whereby the fall off while the driver makes a manouvre.

They also called on the Federal Government to fix all port access roads to enhance free flow of traffic in line with its ease of doing business policy.