NPA bans night movement for barges, moves to streamline operations

The Nigerian Ports Author­ity(NPA), has banned the movement of barges at night in the country’s territorial waters to forestall accidents in the maritime domain.

The Authority said it had issued a Standard Operating Procedure(SOP) aimed at streamlining the operation of barges as well as banning night movements to avoid a collision or impeding nav­igation of vessels on the channels.

Mohammed Bello-Koko, Managing Director of NPA, disclosed this in Lagos at the weekend, during a media parley.

He said the Authority had set the minimum operating standard for the barges just as it was doing for trucks.

According to him, the move was to enhance safety and remove encumbrances to quick access to the berthing area for oncoming ships. (Daily Independent)