More facts have emerged over the is suspension of sailing activities along the Bonny channel anytime vessels belonging to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) makes use of the channel.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had assured stakeholders recently that it would make efforts to dualise the Bonny channel with the NLNG.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune exclusively, the Port Manager of Ports and Terminal Operators Limited (PTOL), Mr. Charles Ajah explained that the very large sizes of NLNG vessels and the turbulence that arises with their movement on sea is enough to stop all other sailing activities in the Bonny channel.

According to Mr Ajah, who spoke on behalf of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), “You know most of the NLNG vessels are very big. Due to their sizes, whenever they are passing through the Bonny channel, all other vessels are asked to wait because of the turbulence that comes with their movement on sea.

“The size of most NLNG vessels disturbs the water during movement, and any other ship that tries to make use of the Bonny channel whenever NLNG vessel is making use of it, is doing so at her own risk. No vessel will even be allowed to use the Bonny channel once the NLNG vessels has been given the clear to use the channel.

“This is down to safety procedure on the part of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). The NPA won’t allow another vessel to use the Bonny channel whenever NLNG vessels are making use of the channel because of safety of the other vessels due to the turbulence at sea anytime the NLNG vessels are moving. The turbulence is down to the size of these vessels. So the NPA is right to stop all other use of the channel whenever NLNG vessels are approaching.”

When asked if he alludes to concerns raised by stakeholders that waiting for NLNG vessels expose them to piracy attacks, Mr. Ajah explained that there is not yet any record of a vessel getting attacked while waiting for NLNG vessels to navigate the Bonny channel. He however, subscribed to agitations for the dualisation of the channel to enable seamless movement along the Bonny channel.

“There is no record yet of any vessel being attacked while waiting for NLNG vessels to use the Bonny channel, but it will be good if the channel can be dualised. Dualising the channel means creating alternative routes for vessels to sail while the NLNG vessel is approaching the channel.

“You will agree with me that its not fair for everybody to wait while NLNG vessels use the Bonny channel. But the situation is beyond even the NLNG as I speak to you. It is not the fault of anybody that activities around the Bonny channel is suspended anytime the NLNG vessel approaches. It is for the NPA to find a lasting solution to the dilemma of other port users who think they are at risk of a piracy attack while waiting.

“That there is no record of an attack now does not rule out the possibility of such happening in the future. It is the responsibility of the port landlord to look for a lasting solution to the dilemma of most port users,” the STOAN member explained.