By Uzor Odigbo
Managing director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman has said the authority is going through tough times following arsonists action on its Headquarters during EndSARS protest in Lagos.
The NPA boss who received members of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) that paid her a sympathy visit said NPA is going through a difficult period but assured that the Authority remains resilient.
“We are keen to bounce back and we have commenced work. Luckily our IT infrastructure was not damaged. We have insurance cover for literally everything so we are trying to recover as much as we can through our insurance process to see how we can replace some of our equipment within the shortest possible period so that we can get back to work. It Is a tough period for us but we will remain resilient and we will continue with our work.”
The terminal operators were shown slides of the extent of destruction done to the NPA headquarters by the attackers. They were also conducted round the affected area by the NPA Managing Director.
Recall that the NPA boss had informed Nigerians that the authority would continue to work regardless of losses suffered in the hands of hoodlums.
Earlier, STOAN members promised to support the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in replacing some of the items lost to the recent attack on its headquarters by suspected hoodlums.
The Chairman of STOAN, Princess Vicky Haastrup, who led the delegation said they visited to sympathize with the NPA boss and the NPA Executive Management over the attack, which led to the burning of a section of the NPA headquarters.
Haastrup described the attack as “sad and mind-boggling”.
She said, “We are most saddened by what we have seen. It’s actually beyond anybody’s comprehension that so much carnage and destruction could be done to a government property particularly NPA.
“I can imagine what the NPA management has gone through. It must be a very difficult and sad period for you because you put together so much and then some hooligans somewhere can just come and carry out this level of damage to the property.
“We sympathize with you and that is why we all decided that we want to pay you a courtesy visit to let you know that we are with you and we are equally very sad because this is a government establishment where we all benefit from and are a part of and as well enjoy support with your team of management.
“All the terminal operators in Nigeria are all well represented. I assure you that as terminal operators, we are ready to support especially in replacing some of your office equipment.
“We will do all we can, within our power to support you.
