Contentious Waziri jetty: NPA blames removal of PPDOA’s cabins on HSE Policy

The management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has acknowledged the allegation of removing the containers and porter cabins of members of Petroleum Products Depot Owners Association (PPDOA) from Waziri jetty, levelled against its Lagos Port Complex office.

NPA in a statement sent to BusinessDay said that the location of the porter cabins at the quay apron of Waziri jetty contravenes the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Policy, which the Authority sworn to uphold. The authority however, failed to response to the allegation of entering into a lease agreement with NIPCO PLC in violation of standing court order that prohibits NPA from doing so, as accused by PPDOA.

According to the statement, NPA on inspection of the port observed on the 12th of October 2015 the untidy nature of Waziri jetty, which was littered with loose pipes, debris, sludge and hoses, and directed the operators to remove the illegally placed containers used to store materials.

At the expiration of the seven days notice on 16th November 2015, the Port Management discovered that the operators did not comply with the directive and went further to clear the cabins on 1st of December 2015 in the presence of the Port Police and the Port Security.

“NPA wishes to state that our action reflects our commitment in ensuring safety, efficiency and protection of the marine environment. Ports owned and regulated by NPA are referred to as international convention for safety of life at sea (SOLAS) Port, giving the type of ships and the nature of the trade for which the port facility are intended to play host,” says the statement.

Recall that PPDOA recently accused NPA of violating court order by entering into lease agreement with NIPCO PLC, a foreign firm against the interest of five Nigerian owned companies including Hensmor Nigeria Ltd, G-Eurafic, Energy Destination, Aiteo and A-Z Petroleum that use the jetty to take delivery of imported refined petroleum products with NIPCO as common users of the jetty.