By GODWIN ORITSE
Marine pilots currently working with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have decried the continued neglect of navigational facilities at the harbours department which they say are in a deplorable state.
In a statement issued by their leader, Captain Solomon King, it said what is going on in the department is mere window dressing, as findings have revealed that facilities at the pilotage department of the blue ship agency are in dire need of attention.
The pilots noted that facilities at the pilotage department at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) Control Tower do not meet present-day pilotage requirements.
They are of the opinion that unless a decisive action is taken by the management of the NPA, the fragile peace at the nation's port industry may again be threatened over the state of the navigational facilities.
The pilots also complained that the NPA's management has been insensitive to the welfare of its pilots.
Captain King also noted that the situation of the decaying infrastructure became so glaring with the commencement of the 24-hour operations introduced by the authority, which has increased the working hours of the pilots.
He revealed that since the commencement of the 24-hour port operations, which also include 24-hour pilotage services, there has been epileptic power supply at the Control Tower at the Lagos Port Complex and at the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
It was learnt that the only power generating set at the Control Tower at the LPC only works for a number of hours, allowed to cool, and then switched on again.
Currently NPA has about 55 pilots on its pay roll and a total of 21 are expected to be on duty at a particular period.
Of the 21 pilots expected to be on duty, only about 8 to 10 bed spaces are provided for them at the pilots' quarters.
King further disclosed that NPA over the years have failed to provide communication gadgets for the habour department, such as Walkie Talkie and uniforms.
The situation has degenerated to the point that pilots borrow Radio from the masters of vessels which they are bringing to berth in order to be able to communicate with the Control Tower, a scenario that do not portray the country in good light in the eyes of the international community.
It was gathered that the last time that the management provided pilots with Walkie Talkie was six years ago.
On uniform worn by pilots, it was learnt that the pilots have to sow their uniforms by themselves, as the management has refused to provide them with uniforms.
Meanwhile there is the absence of radar coverage for the Nigerian waters, which is the duty of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and NPA.
It was gathered that the two agencies still deploy officers to patrol the waters to monitor happenings on vessel at berth and those at anchorage, a situation which a radar coverage would have addressed.
Vanguard Nigeria