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Despite the collapse of Escravos breakwaters, which serves to prevent siltation from entering the channel leading to Warri Port, the port continues to receive vessels, as confirmed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

BusinessDay has learned that under the leadership of Mohammed Bello-Koko, the NPA management has completed the survey and mapping of the channel and is now in the final stages of obtaining the necessary approvals to fund the reconstruction of the collapsed Escravos breakwaters, which occurred decades ago. Additionally, the NPA has implemented measures to ensure the safe berthing of vessels, facilitating trade operations.

Assuring stakeholders engaged in business within the Warri Pilotage district of safe navigation, Mohammed Bello-Koko, the managing director of NPA, stated that the Authority is diligently working under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Transportation to comprehensively address the challenges faced by all Delta Ports.

“We have implemented various measures to ensure uninterrupted business continuity for all those operating within our safety and security regulations,” he emphasized. Furthermore, NPA provides up-to-date local and international training, simulation, and maneuverability competence to its team of pilots, ensuring that incidents of vessels running aground are minimized.

These measures recently enabled the safe berthing of MT Zonda, MT Stellar, MT Duke, MT Vardar, and MT Igbinosa on Friday, 14 July 2023, despite six vessels at anchorage inbound and outbound for Bonny Island, Koko, and Escravos.

Recall that the Authority recently acquired and installed adequate buoys for Warri, realigned entrance buoys, docked and reclassified vessels, and mandated frequent simulation training and retraining for all pilotage crew to equip them to handle the challenges of the channel effectively.

Regarding the occasionally reported incidents of vessels running aground, the NPA clarified that they do not impede the channel’s functioning as these are vessels operating illegally without NPA Marine Pilots on board, and they ran aground solely due to their veering off the channel and safety-marked areas caused by incompetence.

To enhance domain awareness and prevent the entry of illegal vessels, the Authority has recently awarded consultancy for the installation of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) across all its port locations, with the first phase already completed. Additionally, the NPA has acquired and deployed security patrol boats and strengthened collaborations with relevant security agencies to address the activities of such illegal vessels that lead to breaches in port security.