NPA Denies Accident Report

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Rivers Port Complex in Port Harcourt, has denied that one of its vessels was involved in an accident at the harbour.

Mr. Ben Ugwuegbulam, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, had told newsmen on Monday that a vessel cleared by the authority was involved in an accident.

He had said that three police gunboats and other vessels were destroyed in the accident, which occurred 10 days ago.

However, Mr Lawrence Alabi, the Port Manager, told newsmen  in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that a tanker carrying Kerosine had been cleared to park at berth 8 to discharge its cargo.

He said the authority did not receive any report of an accident caused by any vessel and that the necessary procedure was followed to ensure that the tanker complied with the safety standards at the Port.

“A tanker was authorised having complied with all the statutory requirements for her to come into the Port to take position at the berth.

“And to the best of our knowledge, the vessel was assisted by an NPA-licenced pilot, an NPA employee, who happens to be a pilot.”

The Harbour Master, Bonny-Port Harcourt pilotage district, Capt. Olatunji Abohi explained that NPA had received a report from the police saying that a tanker suspected to be carrying petroleum products had sunk.

He maintained that NPA gave them the name and address of the agent that cleared the vessel.

“Like I said, it is a lie. There was no such; but I saw five boats or more which they claimed the vessel sank.

“It is not true, based on investigations carried by the NPA. I don’t even think they have any witness to corroborate what they said. And the vessel in question has since sailed.’’

Abohi said the management of the authority was on top of the situation and that necessary safety measures were followed to ensure that the vessel discharged its cargo safely.