Activities at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have been crippled after a fire outbreak that gutted a major section of the facility and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
As gathered, staff were about to intensify work on the task assigned to them when the inferno started and disrupted operations at the headquarters.
It was learnt that the fire that affected operations on Wednesday at the NPA head office on Broad Street in Lagos State, was said to have been triggered by a surge from electrical appliances in the building.
The Guild gathered that the fire spread from one of the offices on the sixth floor to others, at least three, although, no life was lost during the fire outbreak.
Some of the staff that spoke on anonymity narrated that their colleagues on the affected floor were asked to stay at a point on the ground floor where the headcount of those on duty was taken by the safety officers.
Confirming the fire outbreak, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communication of NPA, Olaseni Alakija, who confirmed the incident, said officials of the NPA Fire Service Department immediately mobilised to the scene and promptly contained the fire.
Alakija said in line with safety protocols, the affected floor had since been cordoned off and investigations were ongoing to ascertain the actual cause of the fire.
“The fire affected one office where 2 desktops, tables, chairs, and other furniture were lost. Two other adjoining offices were affected by smoke and soot.
“The Management of the Authority appreciates the prompt response and professionalism of the Authority’s Fire service and security departments and wishes to assure all stakeholders and the general public that no sensitive documents were lost and normalcy has been restored and that our operations have not been disrupted in any way” he said.
