By Benjamin Ameh
The Western Ports of the Nigerian Ports Authority [NPA] in Lagos has renewed efforts to rid the Ports within the Lagos corridor of substandard trucks from entering the Ports.
The members of the team drawn from the Western Ports Headquarters ,Lagos Ports Complex {LPC] and Tin Can Island Port Complex [TCIPC] are now involved in the physical inspection of trucks, to ensure that only trucks which comply with stipulated safety standards are allowed entrance into the ports within the Lagos area.
Leader of the team, Engineer David Adeola said the work of the team has started yielding positive results as a number of trucks are daily prevented from entering the LPC due to their poor road worthiness.
Adeola expressed optimism that if the minimum standards of road worthiness are enforced on all trucks admitted for operations in the Ports and the Terminal Operators adhering strictly to it, it will eventually eliminate cases of mishap within and outside the Ports due to faulty and substandard trucks.
In the press statement made available to media by Capt Iheanacho Ebubeogu FIMarEST, General Manager, Public Affairs of authority disclosed that the minimum standard of road worthiness for trucks entering the port stipulates specifications expected of a truck covering amongst others the truck head, body, braking system, engine, battery, trafficators, warning devices, twist locks and other fittings.
Chairman, Association of Maritime Transport Owners [AMATO] Chief Remi Ogungbemi assured that the Association was in full support of the surveillance duties of the Safety Department of Nigerian Ports Authority to ensure the safety of other road users in the Port.
Chief Ogungbemi who reiterated that the enforcement of the safety standard is necessary for all trucks in the nations Seaports, assured the Association was already educating its members on the benefits of acquiring and having standard trucks for their effective operation.
While the AGM Security [Western Ports] Sam Asamaige said the department has always supported the Safety Department whenever they embark on the truck surveillance duties explained that some truck owners are complying strictly to the rules.
