The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, has disclosed that hoodlums vandalised the agency’s property worth N1billion during the #EndSARS protests in Lagos State.
Ms Bala-Usman made the disclosure during the 2021 budget defence session before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.
According to the her, the sum of N807 million had been earmarked for rehabilitation of the burnt portion of the agency’s building.
This, she added, is different from monies to be spent on replacement of 27 vehicles set ablaze by the vandals and three outright stolen.
“These vehicles being operational ones, need to be replaced as soon as insurance companies come up with the aspect of losses to be shouldered.
“Aside burnt the building and vehicles, other working tools like 317 computers were looted as well as photocopiers, the cost of replacement of which will be above a billion Naira when added to the N807million already estimated for rehabilitation of the burnt building”, she said.
She, however, assured the committee that the agency, based on ongoing arrangement with the Lagos State Government and National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, is coming up with a lasting solution to Trucks gridlock on roads leading to the ports in Lagos.
An electronic call-up system, she explained, has been put in place for trucks accessing the ports for evacuation of goods.
“Trucks park has been established in Orile, which is to serve as a call-up centre for any truck waiting to evacuate goods at the ports.
“Besides this arrangement, ultra-modern rail line leading to Apapa port and water transportation being offered by NIWA, are also helping out”, she added.
