Vincent Toritseju
23 October 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA and the Nigerian Navy have assured maritime stakeholders of their commitment to ensuring that the nation’s coastal and territorial waters are rid of criminal elements.
Giving this assurance in Lagos weekend, while receiving Managing Director, NPA Hadiza Bala Usman the new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Western Naval Command Real Admiral Obed Habila Ngalabak, said that management of the Authority is determined to collaborate and corporate with all stakeholders responsible for safeguarding the nation’s territorial waters within budgetary limitation.
Usman stressed the need for the Nigerian Navy to partner with the NPA in securing the nation’s waterway, within their jurisdiction considering the history of their evolution and their particular areas of operation.
The agency boss assured the FOC that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between both institutions, be looked into again so as to address any issue that mitigating the smooth execution of the partnership.
She said that the NPA was ready to renovate and rehabilitate the Takwa Bay so as to wade off criminal elements that inhabit the facility.
Similarly, Real Admiral Ngalabak informed the NPA Managing Director of the need of all concerned to assist the Navy to take a holistic reconstruction of the Takwa Bay as it is facing the challenge of erosion.
According to him, urgent steps should also be taken to avert an impending disaster being perpetuated by some unscrupulous elements at the Island.