Godwin Oritse
28 November 2011, Sweetcrude, LAGOS—The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) may have concluded plans to sanction the owners of the vessel, M.T. Britaina U, which exploded and killed two persons at the Marina in Lagos.
Security sources at the authority disclosed that management of the agency was currently awaiting the security report of the explosion.
It was gathered that the owners of the vessel face sanctions because the vessel was being dry-docked in an unauthorised area.
It was learnt that the area where the ship was berthed is a roadstead for vessels, and that the explosion caused damage to vehicles parked opposite a bank at the Marina Jetty.
It furthered gathered that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) immediately deployed its officials for a rescue mission at the site of the incident.
Efforts to get reaction from the Nigerian Ports Authority were futile as the authority’s spokesman, Chief Michael Ajayi, said he was not aware of the fact NPA was awaiting any security report or its intention to sanction owners of the vessel.
He also said NPA’s management was yet to issue any official statement as the incident was still being investigated.
