NPA Boss Laments Over Poor State of Mission to Seafarers Centre, Promises Immediate Renovation Work
BELLO KOKO
By Our Reporter
Worried by the poor state of the Mission to Seafarers (MTS) located at Marine Road, Apapa, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, weekend promised to rehabilitate the Centre.
Bello-Koko made the promise during a facility tour of the Centre accompanied by members of his management team.
He said that the state of the MTS was not befitting for the country considering that Nigeria is a maritime nation.
He described the physical infrastructure as embarrassing, adding that it was not what he expected to see.
Noting that seafarers were integral part of the nation’s cargo supply chain, he said their welfare was very important.
He told newsmen, “We all know the relevance of the mission, they are to take relevant actions concerning the welfare of the seafarers, and their mental health. They have been doing quite a good job, in recent times, we have had discussions with them and we felt that there is need for the NPA to get involved in the renovation of this place.
“This is where sailors coming into Nigeria from other countries relax and spend a good time, but this is not befitting.
“In Nigeria, the port community revolves around the Port Authority and probably a few stakeholders, so, we would take responsibility, the bulk stops here.
“This place used to be one of the best in the world, but today, you can see the current state of it.
“What you are going to see is that NPA is coming onboard to ensure that this centre is renovated, we would give it a befitting look and the necessary ambience and conducive environment for seafarers coming into Nigeria, they would get the same service and attention that they get in other parts of the world.
“This would also help to increase the rating of our port, you shouldn’t come to Nigeria after staying thirty days on the vessel and still be forced to remain on the vessel for another four weeks, just because we do not have the necessary condusive environment.
“You are going to see activities happening here very soon, NPA is going to give the necessary support to Mission to Seafarers Lagos”
The Managing Director during the visit directed engineers who accompanied him to assess and advise the management on what should be done immediately.
He said that the NPA partners with agencies as well as Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to ensure that the welfare of seafarers is addressed.
According to him, this explains why Seafarers Day is marked every year where issues affecting the welfare of the seafarers are discussed.
The former Managing Director of the NPA, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, who is the Chairman of the MTS also expressed concerns over the state of the Mission which according to him remains a global organization established in every country.
He commended the NPA management for the support it came to render to the Centre, adding that very soon the centre would be an arena for seafarers to visit.
Ends.
Worried by the poor state of the Mission to Seafarers (MTS) located at Marine Road, Apapa, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, weekend promised to rehabilitate the Centre.
Bello-Koko made the promise during a facility tour of the Centre accompanied by members of his management team.
He said that the state of the MTS was not befitting for the country considering that Nigeria is a maritime nation.
He described the physical infrastructure as embarrassing, adding that it was not what he expected to see.
Noting that seafarers were integral part of the nation’s cargo supply chain, he said their welfare was very important.
He told newsmen, “We all know the relevance of the mission, they are to take relevant actions concerning the welfare of the seafarers, and their mental health. They have been doing quite a good job, in recent times, we have had discussions with them and we felt that there is need for the NPA to get involved in the renovation of this place.
“This is where sailors coming into Nigeria from other countries relax and spend a good time, but this is not befitting.
“In Nigeria, the port community revolves around the Port Authority and probably a few stakeholders, so, we would take responsibility, the bulk stops here.
“This place used to be one of the best in the world, but today, you can see the current state of it.
“What you are going to see is that NPA is coming onboard to ensure that this centre is renovated, we would give it a befitting look and the necessary ambience and conducive environment for seafarers coming into Nigeria, they would get the same service and attention that they get in other parts of the world.
“This would also help to increase the rating of our port, you shouldn’t come to Nigeria after staying thirty days on the vessel and still be forced to remain on the vessel for another four weeks, just because we do not have the necessary condusive environment.
“You are going to see activities happening here very soon, NPA is going to give the necessary support to Mission to Seafarers Lagos”
The Managing Director during the visit directed engineers who accompanied him to assess and advise the management on what should be done immediately.
He said that the NPA partners with agencies as well as Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to ensure that the welfare of seafarers is addressed.
According to him, this explains why Seafarers Day is marked every year where issues affecting the welfare of the seafarers are discussed.
The former Managing Director of the NPA, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, who is the Chairman of the MTS also expressed concerns over the state of the Mission which according to him remains a global organization established in every country.
He commended the NPA management for the support it came to render to the Centre, adding that very soon the centre would be an arena for seafarers to visit.
Ends.
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