The European Union (EU) has advised Nigeria to tighten security architecture at the seaports to help reduce its vulnerabilities and risks. The call was made at the closing ceremony of the Western and Central Africa Port Security (WeCAPS) first mission training in Nigeria for ports in Lagos
The mission, which started in August 2022, was sponsored by EU and driven by Expertise France (EF) with the collaboration of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The team leader of WeCAPS, Nico Vertogen, said strengthening the security and safety of the West and Central African ports would help reduce vulnerabilities and risks, thereby increasing skills and vigilance.
Vertogen called for perimeter fencing of the ports, installation of CCTVs and access badges among others as a means to tighten the nation’s port security.
He explained that the WeCAPS project is a partner project with expertise giving their opinion on safety and security accompanied by training.
The Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, commended the EU for the WeCAPS training mission to strengthen security and safety of ports in the West and Central African region. He said the training mission in Nigeria came at a time when the authority is prioritising safety and security to achieve a hub status within the region.
This commitment, Bello-Koko said is in line with the authority’s vision to be the maritime logistics hub for sustainable port services in Africa, which also prioritises the delivery of efficient port services in a safe, secure and customer-friendly environment
