SIFAX Group has said that contrary to media reports, no vessel caught fire at the Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited (P&CHS), one of its subsidiaries and operator of Terminal ‘C’ at Tin Can Island Port.
In a statement issued on Friday, spokesman of the company, Olumuyiwa Akande, explained that a shore crane developed a sudden technical fault and went up in flames.
“Our attention has been drawn to some misleading reports in the press after a fire incident at a terminal operated by one of our subsidiaries, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. The fact about the fire incident is that at 12:30 pm on Thursday, July 20, 2023, one of our equipment, a shore crane, developed a sudden technical fault and before anything could be done to fix it, it went up in flames.
“There was a quick response from all stakeholders which resulted in putting out the fire as soon as possible, even though substantial damage was done to the equipment. Normalcy was returned to the terminal after containing the fire and our operations resumed.”
Akande explained that the vessel at berth at the time of the incident was not affected by the fire while containers, both those on board the vessel as well as other consignments at the terminal, were not affected also.
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He maintained that there was no loss of life as the operator working on the affected equipment was safely rescued without any injury, adding that the said equipment, as well as all other equipment and facilities at the terminal, were all insured.
“As a company, we are committed to operational excellence in a safe and secure environment for the collective good of all our stakeholders, customers, agents, staff, regulators and members of the general public. We urge the public to disregard any sensational reports on the incident and stay with the facts as stated here.
“We urge the press to ensure their reports are accurate so that members of the public are not misled and create unnecessary panic in the industry and beyond. Our sincere appreciation goes to individuals and organisations, who reacted swiftly to the emergency situation including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Master and crew of MV Argeciras Express and the Lagos State Fire Service. We also commend the employees of Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited,” the statement added.
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