Rivers port is located in the Gulf of Guinea. It is strategically positioned to enhance the quick realization of government core economic objectives and aspirations through reduction of distribution cost. Rivers port has eight (8) Berths and 47 Jetties and its notable characteristics reflect the state of the terrain it operates. Amongst the Jetties, two are key and strategic which are the Bonny and the Okrika jetties.
In the Bonny operation, the traffic is shared between Onne and Port Harcourt, while Okrika Terminal handles refined petroleum products like AGO, PMS, Kerosene etc. Also Rivers port operates tank farms for imported petroleum products.
Today there is a major shift in the exportation of crude and importation of finished petroleum products.
The port provides services and other logistics support to the oil and gas sector, thereby meeting the target of the federal Government aspiration of fully transformed marine operation in Nigeria
Challenges of insecurity in the Riversport; (I) Burglary and arm robbery (ii) Smuggling activities (iii) Sea piracy (IV) Touting.
Security Scenario
Due to the enormous concentration of commuters, freight, assets and industries at or around ports make them highly vulnerable to terrorism which could cause great loss of lives, valuable properties and industries. Thus, having observed that port/maritime security threats have increased over time which by implication impact negatively on the port and reduced port productivity/ performance which has led to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS code).
ISPS code is a new port security policy established with the support of International Maritime Organization (IMO) which is structured in a way that it detects and prevents terrorism to global safety.
It contains expectations from governments, seaport authorities and shipping corporations. Failure of ships to adhere strictly to the ISPS code of conduct could be penalized which may include denying such ships from entering into other international shipments.
Security facilities and gadget available at the seaport includes; Fire alarm system, security alarm, gunboat, stun gun, CCTV camera, Spy face cap camera, Wall Mounted motion sensor, Digital Door look, Fingerprint reader, Biometric time attendance, scanners, bomb detector, security gadgets, Bomb-sniffing dogs, Anti-terrorist, Logbook, I.D cards. These imply that the security of the Port Harcourt seaport is tight/strong.
In conclusion, with the strong security and the ISPS code implementation, it promotes the Rivers port performance which in return has a positive effect on the economy of Rivers state. Also found out that there is a correlation between security and performance of the Port Harcourt seaport which in turn has a positive effect on the growth of the city as well as contribute greatly to the country’s GDP (Gross Domestics Product) and sustainable growth and development of the country as a whole.
SOURCE: ENERGY SECTION TPCN.
