From left: One of the female RTG crane operators, Taiwo Oni, Managing Director Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman and Managing Director of Tin Can Island Container Terminal, Etienne Rocher during a reception in honour of the operators at the company’s terminal in Apapa recently.

The Nigerian Ports Authority NPA has expressed its delight in the decision of Tin Can Island Container TICT, Limited, one of the port concessionaires to train Nigerian girls in the operation of Rubber Tyre Gantry RTG cranes, a specialised cargo handling equipment, dominated by the men folk all over the world.

The newly trained female RTG crane operators, who are believed to be first in Africa, include Matilda Adeniran, Tina Onwudinwe, Abiola Adegoroye and Mary Ajayi.

Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, who spoke at a reception organised by the company in honour of the female RTG operators, said that the training of women in specialised area of port operation is also in line with efforts to enhance the growth and development of the maritime industry and thereby improve the nation’s economy through incursion of women into areas supposedly dominated by the men folk.

The MD, who also eulogised the girls for the patience and tenacity to complete the training session to become the first set of female professionals in the whole of Africa, also urged them to contribute their quota to national development by working effectively in their new professional field, insisting that they are in for limitless opportunities.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of TICT, Mr. Etienne Rocher, who spoke earlier during the event, observed that the company has set a record of training the first set of Nigerian ladies, who can successfully operate the RTG cranes, believed to be first of its kind in the whole of Africa, saying that TICT, is proud to be a trail blazer in this area.

Rocher, further stated that the ladies have beyond any doubt, distinguished themselves by performing exceptionally well in this field and adding that in the long run, their efforts would help Nigeria sustain its position as one of the biggest players in the maritime industry in the sub region.