By Foster Obi  

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said following increasing reports of abuses of process in the operation of barges and private jetties, it has clamped down on unsea-worthy barges while three illegal jetties have been sealed

A statement issued by the Authority in Nigeria on Monday and signed by Ibrahim Nasiru, AGM Corporate and Strategic Communication said the decision followed the establishment of an inter-agency committee comprising of representatives of the NPA, Nigerian Maritime Administration Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Inland Waterways Authority (LASWA).

The statement said that the committee is spearheading the “clearing of the waterways of lay-by barges and tugboats along Ibeji/Ilashe axis and as far as the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal and Mile Two Bridge, as well as the removal of wrongly anchored barges that are obstructing visibility along the Kirikiri channel.

While soliciting for the cooperation of stakeholders at ensuring that barge operations are executed according to laid down regulations, the Committee expressed its commitment to sustaining the current tempo of enforcement until operators totally comply with all laid down regulations, adding, “To this end, regular patrol of waterways will be carried out and sustained.”

Picture: MD NPA, Hadiza BalaUsman