Terrorism: Port security officers call for more alertness

Port facility Security Officers’ (PFSO) of the Lagos Maritime Security (LMS) zone has called on stakeholders  to be more security conscious with a view to curbing possible attack at the ports.

Speaking at the 10 years celebration of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code, chairman of the PFSO, Mr. Suberu Anataku said that the code is an extension of the Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS), adding that code should be a

constant reminder of  security challenges that has pervaded the entire world..

Anataku explained that the entire world is being challenged to come up with preventive rather that proactive security measures to combat terrorism.

According to him, the sea could be as vulnerable as any place for terrorist, as security has become the fastest growing industry.

He said “Today marks our effort to ensure that we are a step ahead of the bad guys, we have to know what we are doing at all times as the current  global security situation calls for more alertness on the part of every stakeholder in the maritime industry”.

Also speaking at the event, Captain Green Egbodi, a senior officer at the  ISPS unit of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said that the agency has concluded plans to set up Nigerian Maritime Security Committee NMSC) with a view to  reviewing all maritime security activities on an annual basis.

Egbodi, who delivered a lecture titled  “ ISPS  Code implementation: the journey so far” said that  “the committee will meet to annually to review situation in port industry.

He noted that about 80 percent of facilities covered by the agency are compliant with the Code, while 15 percent are still struggling to comply and 5 percent are yet to meet set standards.

He explained those facilities that are currently complaint with the Code need to ensure sustainability of their security levels.

Vanguard