Vincent Toritseju
27 January 2019, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has commenced the Onne Port Channel oil spill cleanup at the Federal Oceans Terminal, FOT, Onne, River state.
The cleanup exercise is the first of such project being executed by the personnel of environment Department of the agency.
Speaking on the sidelines of the kick-off of the clean-up project at the premises at Federal Lighter Terminal, FLT, also in Onne, the Acting Port Manager Mrs Barbara Ejemeh Nchey-Achukwu who represented the Port Manager Alhassan Ismaila Abubakar, commended the wisdom of the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman for the approval for the commencement of the water channel clean-up at the Port.
She said that the Port Manager is aware of various complains from Terminal Operators relating to oil pollution within the waters and was therefore excited with the new development in the commencement of the water channel clean up.
She said by this effort that NPA is showing a duty of care. She said that vessel owners had been complaining over oil spill stains on their vessels hauls calling at Onne Port, noting that after the exercise such complaints will be a thing of the past.
“I know after this exercise, terminal operators will no longer complain to Onne Port Management of stains on their anchored vessels”, Nchey-Achukwu stated.
Speaking in similar vein, Engr. I.S Abdulbaki, General Manager Health Safety Environment, HSE said that they could not ascertain the actual cause of the oil spills at the Port, but suspected the activities of oil bunkers and waste from communities that are emptied into the water channels.
He said part of the activities they are doing is to remove debris from the waters and use chemicals to clean the water to achieve improved water.
He said they will also embark on an awareness campaign to raise the consciousness of the people on the need for clean waters, to sustain aquatic life and navigation.