Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Onari Brown (left), Managing Director, PTML Terminal, Ascanio Russo, and Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services of NPA, Prof. Idris Abubakar, during the company’s hand-over of a brand new Toyota Hilux to NPA in Lagos…Thursday
Towards cushioning the effects of the recent destruction of facilities at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest roll-on roll-off (RORO) terminal, Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML), has donated a brand new Toyota Hilux to the agency.
Hoodlums had last month hijacked a peaceful sit-out tagged, #EndSARS, staged to protest the continued and increasing harassment and extra-judicial killings of innocent citizens by operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The NPA building and about 27 vehicles in the premises were torched in the attack.
Handing over the vehicle to the agency through its Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Prof. Idris Abubakar, shortly after assessing the level of damage, the Managing Director of PTML, Mr. Ascanio Russo, condemned the attack as “senseless,” as it had nothing to do with the EndSARS protest.
Russo, while sympathising with the NPA management, assured that PTML would continue to work with the agency, adding: “We came here as PTML and Grimaldi to express our sympathy to the Nigerian Ports Authority for the horrendous attack they suffered three weeks ago when the headquarters was burnt.
“We came here to present this vehicle, and this is a way for us to show our support to the agency because we know that in times like this, it is our duty to support NPA, which has always been very supportive to us and to the whole port industry.
“So it is for us to show our commitment to work with the NPA, express our solidarity, be with them in this very difficult period and sympathise with them for this senseless attack, because this has nothing to do with EndSARS protest. This is just an attack by criminals, which we strongly condemn.”
On behalf of NPA, Abubakar thanked the management of PTML for the donation. He urged other stakeholders to emulate the gesture, noting that in addition to the 27 vehicles burnt by the hoodlums, over 300 computers, 100 printers, photocopiers and other office equipment were also stolen.
“PTML is the first to donate to the agency. We have lost over 27 vehicles; over 300 computers, over 100 printers. Lots of photocopiers and other office equipment were stolen.
“We thank the management of PTML for taking it upon itself to relieve the agency with this magnanimous gift. We recognise that you are one of our serious partners that listen to our needs at a time like this, and we wish you very successful business at the port.
“We are thankful to the Almighty that they were not able to attack the port because that would have crippled the operations in the port.
“So, we are calling on all stakeholders that have the means to come to the aid of the agency. This is a serious time of need for the agency, so all stakeholders’ support is welcome at this time, but it is not compulsory.”
PTML and its parent company, Grimaldi Nigeria, had collectively donated the sum of N150 million, 10,000 facemasks and 5,000 hand gloves to the various arms of government at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic to curtail its spread in the country.
