The assistant general manager (Security) of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Asamaige Samuel said the leading terminal operator, APM Terminals Apapa Limited, is the most compliant terminal in implementation of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security, ISPS, Code compliant in the country.
Samuel made this known at a seminar tagged ‘Awareness Training Programme for NPA Personnel and Stakeholders in the Western Ports.’
He said APM Terminals Apapa is more ISPS Code compliant than port terminals in some developed countries of the world.
“I can tell you in confidence that most of our terminals are ISPS compliant especially the APMT. They are even more compliant than some other ports outside the country,” he said.
He assured that NPA is not resting on its oars to ensure effective security of the nation’s seaports, even as he disclosed that the ports in Lagos are operating on security level one while those outside Lagos are operating on level two.
He charged all port users, including NPA staff and other stakeholders going into the ports, to respect security operatives and subject themselves to search.
“When our men check you, it is not that we don’t have confidence in you but it is because we don’t want people to be used without their knowledge.
“All of us are potential danger to ourselves without knowing. When they search you, please cooperate with them because we are here to protect everybody,” he said.
Speaking earlier at the same event, a senior security officer of NPA, Ignitus Uche suggested that private vehicles should be stopped from entering the ports.
“Even when the managing director comes to any port, he should park his cars and the security operatives should use their patrol vans to take him to his destination around the ports. Operational vehicles should be the only vehicles seen around the ports.”
Uche also said that uniform should not be used by security operatives as a sign of identification for assessing the ports, stressing further that proper identification should be displayed at the point of entering the ports.
“Putting belt or caps in front of their car is not a veritable means of identification,” he said.
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