NPA, Lekki Port Mark World Environment Day with Call for Sustainable Port Operations

NPA, Lekki Port Mark World Environment Day with Call for Sustainable Port Operations

Lagos, Nigeria – The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Lekki Deep Sea Port, has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action as it joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Environment Day with a stakeholders’ workshop held at the port.

The event, which took place on Monday, June 8, brought together port users, stakeholders, and environmental experts to discuss strategies for building cleaner, greener, and more resilient maritime gateways while promoting responsible environmental practices.

Speaking during the workshop, the Chief Port Environment Officer of NPA Lekki Deep Sea Port, Mr. Kelvin Omiyi, who moderated the session, noted that the 2026 World Environment Day campaign emphasizes urgent climate action and the critical role of nature-based solutions in addressing the global climate crisis.

He urged participants to embrace responsible waste management and adopt sustainable environmental practices in their daily operations, stressing that collective action remains essential for environmental preservation.

The workshop also served as a platform for stakeholders to reflect on emerging environmental challenges, exchange knowledge, and renew their commitment to sustainable practices that will foster a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient future.

A major highlight of the event was a lecture titled “Ports and Climate Challenge: Building Cleaner, Greener and More Resilient Maritime Gateways,” delivered by the Environment and Community Manager of Lekki Port Limited, Mr. Adurayemi Ogundele.

Ogundele explained that World Environment Day, observed in more than 150 countries, has played a significant role in advancing environmental awareness, reporting, and accountability across the globe.

According to him, ports deserve special attention because of their strategic importance to international trade, industrial growth, food security, and energy security.

“Poorly managed ports are exposed to environmental challenges such as marine pollution, coastal erosion, air emissions, biodiversity loss, and climate-related risks,” he said.

He emphasized the need for sustained environmental protection efforts within ports and coastal communities, noting that green port initiatives offer a practical pathway toward sustainability and improved environmental performance.

Also speaking at the event, the Port Manager of NPA Lekki Deep Sea Port, Mr. Emmanuel Anda, presented a paper titled “The Impact of Good Environmental Management Practices on Port Operations, Customer Patronage and Revenue Generation.”

Anda highlighted the business and operational benefits of sound environmental management, stating that effective environmental practices strengthen community relations, minimize operational disruptions, reduce accidents and downtime costs, and improve a port’s standing within the global maritime industry.

He added that such measures contribute to increased patronage from shipping lines while promoting the health, safety, and well-being of workers.

In a related presentation, the Officer-in-Charge of Operations, Port Health Service, Federal Ministry of Health, Lekki Port, Mr. Salami Najeem, emphasized the importance of environmental health and safety awareness among port users and operators.

He advised stakeholders to cultivate healthy habits and strictly comply with safety regulations, warning that vigilance is necessary to prevent the spread of infectious diseases from foreign vessels, particularly amid global public health concerns such as Ebola and hantavirus.

The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants engaged speakers on key environmental and operational issues affecting the maritime sector. A vote of thanks was subsequently delivered, bringing the commemoration to a close.

Among dignitaries present at the event were Chief Port Environment Officer, NPA Lekki Port, Mr. Kelvin Omiyi; Head of Statistics, NPA Lekki Port, Mr. Kayode Ogunleye; Environment and Community Manager, Lekki Port Limited, Mr. Adurayemi Ogundele; Officer-in-Charge, Operations, Port Health Service, Mr. Salami Najeem; Head of Legal, Lekki Port Limited, Mrs. Opeyemi Akinlade; Port Manager, NPA Lekki Deep Sea Port, Mr. Emmanuel Anda; and Deputy Chief Technical Officer, Lekki Port Limited, Arc. Matthew Oloyede.