NPA Closing Security Deal

According to local sources the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is in the final stages of a security partnership deal with the American company Castle Shipboard Security Program.

With port and maritime security ever growing concerns, especially in the context of Nigeria’s desire to increase maritime trade, NPA’s Managing Director, Omar Suleiman, said there was a need to further strengthen security throughout all of the nation’s seaports. He made the declaration following meetings in Lagos with representatives from Castle Shipboard Security Program.

Suleiman also explained that the issue of maritime security threat was a reality and that the NPA was ready to partner with foreign maritime security experts in order to implement a series of training programmes. By focusing on training the workforce, the NPA will eventually improve the security situation within Nigeria’s maritime industry.

According to local sources, during his presentation to the NPA Jeffrey Kuhlman of Castle Shipboard Security Program stressed the importance and the role of training in the protection of ports and facilities.

Kuhlman also emphasised the necessity to protect the workforce and the working environment. Kuhlman also stated that the security model that would be adopted for each seaports would be customised to meet the particular requirements of each port as no two situations were the same.

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Mark Lowe, Sunday 13 March 2011