As part of innovative approaches to enhance port security in the nation, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is set to introduce electronic port gates at Apapa and Onne seaports.
The Managing Director of NPA, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, disclosed this while speaking on the security innovations by the Authority at a recent Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting (MBRBM), organized by Zoe Maritime Resources, themed: “Security and New Technologies in Inland Waterways Transportation.”
Bello-Koko, who was represented by the General Manager, NPA Security, Mr. Mohammed Khalil, stressed that contractors have commenced work on the installation of the eGates at Apapa port and Onne port.
His words: “We have been renewing infrastructure at the ports. Optimal infrastructure as it relates to security will lead to better enhancement of security. For instance, at the Tin Can Island Port, we have just finished concrete perimeter fencing of the port to address the previous vulnerability of the port.
“We are about to launch the eGates that is an electronic access control into the ports. The contractors have just been mobilized and they have reported to sites. We are starting with two port locations and they are Apapa port and Onne port.”
Noting the need to have adequate surveillance of inland waterways, the NPA boss asserted that the Authority has begun collaborations with Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as all three organizations have top-notch maritime surveillance systems.
News Diet recalls that NPA has the Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence (CCCI) system, NIMASA has a Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence Centre (C4i) and the Navy has the Falcon Eye platform; all for intelligence gathering and data collating for the maritime domain.
The NPA boss opined that these systems could be synergized to cover for lapses in varying platforms and also extensively survey the maritime domain, especially the inland waterways.
Earlier, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, decried low investments in inland waterways transport system, stressing that the gains accruable from the sector will be eroded without requisite investments for optimal operations.
According to the Minister, low investments in the nation’s inland waterways remains a huge challenge in the sector even ad he observed that there is lack of strict implementation of regulations.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Cabotage & Shipping Development, Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, Ekanem Selia, described inland waterways transport system is an essential element of integrated transport systems.
“Inland waterways is one of the oldest means of transporting goods and services from one point to another. Nevertheless, the least developed compared to air and road transportation in Nigeria. It is worthy to note that when the inland waterways transportation system is properly developed, it will be characterized by high transport volume, low energy consumption, and low negative environmental impact,” the Minister said.
