Determined to fulfill its mandate as contained in the joint venture agreement with the Federal Government through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), African Circle Pollution Management Limited (ACPML) has procured two new patrol boats for effective waste management on Nigerian waters.
The procurement of the two Coast Guard 36 patrol boats, named Aderinsola and Hadiza, is in line with the requirements of Maritime Pollution (MARPOL) 73/78, a key guideline of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
According to the provisions of MARPOL 73/78, the NPA is mandated to provide adequate waste reception facilities for waste generated in vessels calling in Nigerian ports.
The vessels are fitted with modern technological features to cope with their functions in Nigerian territorial waters, particularly around Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar.
Speaking at the unveiling of the boats at the Tin-Can Island Port (TCIP), Apapa, Lagos recently, Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director of the NPA, commended the ACPML for the strides recorded since it signed the agreement with the Federal Government over the last two decades.
Represented by Suleiman Abdulbaki, general manager, Health Safety and Environment (HSE) of the NPA, Usman said that ACPML has done well in the execution of the provisions of the agreement it signed with the government.
“African Circle has been in partnership with the NPA for over two decades in the areas of pollution control monitoring, and management of ports reception facilities. ACPML operates in the most excellent way to the highest standard,” she said.
She added that the acquisition of two patrol boats would go a long way in enhancing the effective management of ship generated waste on our water channels in accordance with the provisions in the Annexes of MARPOL 73/78 convention.
Olajide Oluwayemi, representative of ACPML’s regional manager, east stated that the acquisition was geared towards ensuring that the company’s surveillance operations on Nigeria waters are not hindered.
Oluwayemi noted that the procurement was in furtherance ACPML’s commitment to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of Ships (MARPOL 73/78) and the provisions of port reception facilities for the NPA as contained in the JV agreement.
The popping of wine to herald the maiden voyage of the boats was performed by Deborah David, finance manager, ACPML to the delight of dignitaries gathered to witness the occasion.
In 2018, ACPML procured no fewer than 16 new specialised trucks to evacuate waste generated in ships calling in the nation’s seaports. This was in addition to the ones it had earlier acquired in the discharge of its responsibilities in Nigerian ports. Fitted with the latest technologies such as automated discharge and collection of waste, the trucks were manufactured by Mercedes Benz.
Amaka Anagor-Ewuzie
