The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has bolstered security at Tin Can Island Port by erecting a concrete fence and installing an automated access‑control gate. Managing Director Mohammed Bello‑Koko disclosed these upgrades during a recent tour of the port, which he said was intended to assess the execution of the awarded contract. The fence, he explained, ensures that only authorized personnel can enter the port, thereby restricting unapproved access. “We can see that Tin Can has now been fenced with concrete walls from the outside. The purpose is to secure the port, not only for safety but also to limit entry. Some people simply wake up and try to come into the port without any business there,” he said.
By reducing the number of unauthorized individuals, Bello‑Koko noted that incidents of pilfering, theft, and other criminal activities are expected to decline, creating a more enabling business environment in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Code. He added that the automated gates will further enforce this restriction, and he was pleased to observe fewer people on the premises compared with the past. “We will continue to enforce entry limits, allowing only those with legitimate business in the port,” he affirmed.
In addition to land‑side measures, the NPA has enhanced waterside security. The agency purchased a security patrol boat and is collaborating with the Nigerian Navy’s Ship Beecroft to patrol the waterfront. “If we cannot fence certain waterfront areas due to soft ground, we will patrol them, restrict access with patrol boats and surveillance, and equip our security personnel with better communication tools,” Bello‑Koko explained. He said more patrol boats will be acquired to further secure the waterfront.
The NPA is also engaging with the community, stakeholders, and the Lagos State government. A recent 360‑degree operation removed shanties along the port corridor and cleared islands of residents who did not need to be there. Internally, road rehabilitation within the port is underway to address user complaints about access routes, which remain the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Works. “We have created drainage outlets into the main creek to ensure water evacuation, a practice we are replicating at other ports such as Onne, Calabar, and Rivers,” Bello‑Koko said, noting that the rainy season has highlighted the importance of these improvements.
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