NPA To Expand Bonny Channel

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has resolved to expand the Bonny channel to accommodate the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) vessels in Bonny Island and to ensure safe navigation and protection of the marine environment.

Last month the NLNG muted the idea of raising $1.6billion to buy six vessels for oil and gas business in the country. The company currently has 24 LNG ships.

The authority said it would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NLNG on the training of pilots.

It added that the Pilotage District Board would soon be inaugurated to give impetus to the regulatory functions of the authority.

The Executive Director Marine and Operations, Engr. David Omonibeke dropped the hint during a working tour with the management of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in Bonny Island.

The Executive Director and his entourage undertook a guided tour of the 2.27 square kilometres NLNG plant consisting of gas production line, storage and refrigeration facilities, gas turbine electricity generators, LNG export and passenger jetties as well as the residential area.

In a statement by the authority’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu, the executive director noted that the authority would continue to meet all the needs of the company to enhance effective and uninterrupted ship movements in the Bonny.

Omonibeke said the working tour was designed to revitalize the cooperation between the two companies within a renewed synergy which would ensure a beneficial working relationship to both parties and the nation at large.

He explained that NPA was aware of the development plan of the NLNG to increase production using trains 7 and 8, adding NPA was conscious of the fact that the increase would increase ship traffic in the area.

Omonibeke commended the company for contributing to the professional development training programme of NPA’s pilots over the years.

The General Manager, NLNG Shipping Captain Temilola Fatai Okesanjo, who led the NLNG delegation to the meeting, while commending the NPA for initiating the meeting, praised NPA management for resolving some majors issues between the two organisations.

—Esther Komolafe-Hassan