21 November 2007
Lagos — A major fire disaster on a vessel, a Nigerian Navy landing ship, NNS Ambe, was averted yesterday at the Nigerian Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Timely intervention of naval personnel on duty and members of Lagos State Fire Service, Nigerian Ports Authority and fire section of the Julius Berger Plc saved the day.
The vessel, NNS Ambe, is currently undergoing repairs at the Dockyard.
The fire outbreak, which THISDAY learnt from some sources at the Western Naval Command Headquarters, Apapa, Lagos, started around 9:25 p.m., at the upper terrace of the ship, but was immediately put out by the combined team.
The source said it only caused a minor damage at the upper terrace.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye, who was visiting naval formation in Calabar and the Eastern Naval Command facilities, hurriedly left for Lagos yesterday, to inspect the extent of damage.
Though saddened by the development, Admiral Adekeye however was upbeat that the fire did not affect the ship's engines, generators and major auxiliaries.
He immediately directed that the tempo of work on the ship be increased in order to ensure that she is available for deployment immediately.
The work on burnt cabin and superstructure of the ship has commence.
Addressing the officers and ratings of the Dockyard, Adekeye commended them for their prompt reaction to curtail the fire.
He particularly commended the Lagos State Fire Service, NPA and Julius Berger for showing support for the naval and helping to avert a major disaster.
The Nigerian Navy Director of Information (DINFO), Navy Captain Henry Babalola, who confirmed the fire outbreak said repair work has resumed on the burnt ship. Babalola who also added that the CNS who flew into Lagos to personaly access the exrent of damage on the naval ship has however continued his visit to the Eastern Naval Command to units in Port Harcourt and Bonny.
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