JOIN HANDS WITH NPA - MARITIME INVESTORS URGED

Abiodun Obadayo |

Investors in the nation’s maritime sector have been called upon to join hands with the Nigerian Ports Authority and make the sector the pride of Nigeria and the African continent as a whole.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, made this call at Onne while commissioning MV OSANYAMO, newly acquired by Starzs Investment Limited.

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman (left), The Managing Director of STARZ Investment Company Limited, Gregory Ogbeifun (middle) and the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki during the official Christening and Commissioning of MV Osanyamo in Onne last weekend. PHOTO BY NPA MEDIA

Hadiza Bala Usman implored the private sector to take advantage of the enabling environment created by the Muhammadu Buhari administration and invest in the nation’s Maritime sector.

The NPA Boss said, “This event is another testament to the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to the improvement of the Nigerian economy, not just by diversification but by providing the enabling environment for the private sector to invest more in the country”.

“In addition to its contribution to the development of the Maritime industry in the country, the introduction of MV OSANYAMO has the capacity for oil exploration and production in Nigeria. Said to be the largest Damen ASD Tug range till date, the ASD Tug 5114 model vessel is purpose built to assist in tanker lifting operations alongside FPSOs in the Gulf of Guinea”, Hadiza Usman explained.

The Managing Director NPA, while commending the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for christening the boat also congratulated Starzs Investment Limited for the Landmark and its commitment to the Nigerian Content requirement of the Federal Government to the extent that it could boast of a 100 percent Nigerian crew on its entire fleet of vessels.

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman (2nd right), The Managing Director of STARZ Investment Company Limited, Gregory Ogbeifun (2nd from left), the Executive Director NPA, Marine and Operations, Dr. Sokonte Davies (right) and the Port Manager, Onne Port, Alhassan Ismaila during the official Christening and Commissioning of MV Osanyamo in Onne last Friday PHOTO BY NPA MEDIA

The vessel MV OSANYAMO is 52.3 meters in length, displacing 800 tons, a 268sqm deck space, at 5 tons load per m, 2 large fuel and water tanks; with transfer capability of 115 tons astern and 110 tons ahead, two main ABC16 DZC engines delivering 6,700kw powering twin kort nozzle thrusters manufactured by Schottel. It has additional capabilities like fire-fighting and oil recovery.

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman commissioning the newly built MV Osanyamo, owned by STARZ Investment Company Limited in Onne last Friday. PHOTO BY NPA MEDIA

The MV OSANYAMO is state-of-the-art tug, being a highly maneuverable vessel, fully equipped, for offshore operation.

Dignitaries at the historic occasion included the former Managing Director, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, Executive Secretary Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote and the Managing Director, Total E&P, Mr. Nicolas Terraz.