NPA, Firm To Compensate Victims Of Fire Disaster

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it will collaborate with the management of Ports and Cargo Terminal to pay all insurance claims to consignees who lost their cargoes to fire outbreak last Sunday.

NPA Managing Director, Malam Abdulsalam Mohammed, said this in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos by Michael Ajayi, NPA General Manager, Public Affairs.

Mohammed gave the assurance when he visited the scene of the fire incident at Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) to assess the extent of damage.

The incident occurred at the stacking area of the terminal at noon on Sunday, as the car handlers were trying to create more space for vehicles being discharged at the car park when the incident occurred.

A combined team of fire fighters from the NPA and Lagos State Fire Service were able to put the fire under control.

No life was lost in the incident although 40 imported vehicles were damaged.

Mohammed also ordered the immediate opening of a Customers’ Complaint Desk at TCIP Administrative Block and the office of the Ports and Cargo Terminal to register the particulars of all victims.

The NPA chief commended the efforts of the fire fighters in controlling the damage.

He said NPA would ensure that appropriate measures were taken to minimise the hardship the incident might likely cause to the consignees who suffered losses.