Terminal operators visit NPA, want security beef up at seaports

THE Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria ( STOAN) has stressed the need to beef up security at seaports to guide against future attack on the port

The STOAN members, who visited the Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA) headquarters in Lagos, promised to support the Authority in replacing some of the items lost to the recent attack by hoodlums.

The Chairman of STOAN, Princess Vicky Haastrup, who led the port operators on a visit to the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman to sympathize with her over the attack, which led to the burning of a section of the headquarters, described the attack as “sad and mind- boggling”.

She said, “We are most saddened by what we have seen. It’s actually beyond anybody’s comprehension that so much carnage and destruction could be done to a government property particularly NPA.

“I can imagine what the NPA management has gone through. It must be a very difficult and sad period for you because you put together so much and then some hooligans somewhere can just come and carry out this level of damage to the property.

“We sympathize with you and that is why we all decided that we want to pay you a courtesy visit to let you know that we are with you and we are equally very sad because this is a government establishment where we all benefit from and are a part of and as well enjoy support with your team of management.

“All the terminal operators in Nigeria are all well represented. I assure you that as terminal operators, we are ready to support especially in replacing some of your office equipment,’

Also speaking, the Managing Director of PTML Terminal, Ascanio Russo, while commending the combined effort of the police and Navy in repelling hoodlums that invaded the Tin Can Island Port in the wake of the ENDSARS protest, appealed to the NPA management to check the influx of unauthorized persons loitering around the port area.