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 Daily
Independent Online.
* Wednesday, June 30, 2004.
Sarumi launches ISPS code
compliance scheme
By Walter Ukaegbu
Maritime Correspondent, Lagos
Ahead of tomorrow’s deadline
for the implementation of the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS)
code, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief
Adebayo Sarumi, has launched “Operation Total Compliance to ISPS Code” in
Nigerian seaports.
Consequently, he has directed that,
henceforth, all persons who have no legitimate business in any of the
nation’s seaports should stay away in their own interest, or face
prosecution.
Sarumi spoke when he launched the Access
Control Programme (ACP), as a major component of the importers and
vehicles into the nation’s seaports. The programme was simultaneously
launched by the Presidential Implementation Committee on Marine Safety
and Security (PICOMSS) in all the major ports in the four Maritime
Security Zones (MSZ) in the country, namely, Lagos, Port Harcourt,
Calabar and Warri.
Launching the programme in the Lagos Port
Complex and the Tin Can Island Port on behalf of the Minister of
Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Sarumi reiterated that Nigeria as an
important maritime nation in the West African sub-region must be seen to
be making positive and genuine efforts to comply with all the provisions
of ISPS code for the safety and security of its port users.
The managing director argued that the
provisions of the code were not meant to inconvenience any genuine port
user but to ensure the safety of all port facilities, as well as check
the activities of chose who may have ulterior motives.
The NPA boss regretted the increasing
human traffic in the nation’s seaports attributing the situation to the
location f the ports, adding that it would not be in the interest of the
nation for the situation to continue in view of the likely dangers.
He hinted that the management of the
organisation would do, everything possible to phase out manual procedures
for clearance of goods at the nation’s ports and replace it with
electronic clearing system, which is faster and more efficient.
According to him, the management is
determined to provide electronic access system in all the nation’s
seaports, emphasizing that in this connection, the facility has been
provided in Lagos port complex and Port Harcourt port, while that of the
TCIP has been ordered.
Sarumi appealed to all categories of port
users and workers to co-operate with PICOMSS as the committee strives to
achieve the effective implementation of all the provisions of the ISPS
code.
The managing director who also inspected
the front gate car park disclosed that the park would be commercialized
for port users in Apapa during the office hours.
He directed that the space originally
designed as car park at the TCIP be rededicated for the purpose it was
intended, instead o leasing it out.
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