The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, has affirmed the determination of the Authority to collaborate and corporate with all stakeholders responsible for safeguarding the nation’s territorial waters within budgetary limitations.
Bala Usman gave the assurance in Lagos, while exchanging views with the new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Obed Habila Ngalabak, at the NPA Headquarters.
Recall that stakeholders at the World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos, had decried the spate of attacks on Nigerian waters, decrying that the nation is losing fortunes to the dastardly act.
In this regard, Bala 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 peculiar areas of operation.
She assured Ngalabak that all the issues he brought to her attention through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), would be submitted for deliberation at a meeting, especially the renovation and rehabilitation of the Takwa Bay, which would be considered appropriately.
Meanwhile, Ngalabak stressed the need for all concerned to assist the Navy to take a holistic reconstruction of the Takwa Bay, now faced with the challenge of erosion, adding that urgent steps should also be taken to avert impending disaster being perpetuated by some unscrupulous elements on the Island.
Furthermore, he told NPA that Nigerian Navy prides itself as the best dockyard in the region, while seeking mutually beneficial venture in regards to the patronage of the Naval Dockyard.
