Police to Commence Strict Port Access at Lagos Ports

Police to Commence Strict Port Access at Lagos Ports
L-R: The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman and the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police Western Command, Cyril Okoro who paid a courtesy call to the MD at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Lagos.
L-R: The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman and the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police Western Command, Cyril Okoro who paid a courtesy call to the MD at the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Lagos.

Following the recent rise in activities of vandals locally known as Wharf Rats at Nigerian Ports, the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Command, Cyril Okoro has said the police would commence enforcement of strict checks to ensure that only authorized persons gain access into the port.

Cyril stated this yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Apapa.

Recall that in 2019, activities of wharf rats peaked at Nigerian port, especially the Tin Can Island Port where several vehicles were vandalised and their expensive parts stolen right under the nose of terminal operators.

Stakeholders attributed the occurrences to security lapses on the part of terminal operators while some have argued that the act was being perpetuated by Nigerian dockworkers.

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has however denied these claims.

But speaking yesterday, the Commissioner of Police said police would now ensure maximum security at the port and that the force is improving it’s synergy with maritime stakeholders on community policing.

“On the issue of wharf rat, we will improve on the ports access control and make sure that only people who have business in the ports have access to the port. In that while I believe the issue of wharf rats will be a thing of the past”

“Our visit to NAGAFF today is in line with the policy of the Inspector General of Police(IGP) in community policing. We are here on a courtesy call to NAGAFF being one of the major stakeholders in the maritime industry”

Speaking earlier, President of NAGAFF, Chief Increase Uche who was represented by Deputy National President, Mr. Simeon Nwonu assured that NAGAFF is ready to collaborate with the Police.

“For us here, we are always ready to comply to the rules of engagement and see that the police are doing their jobs very well. For us here we are trained and we can’t stop giving police pur support. We will have to keep synergizing in other to achieve optimum result”

He however added that the visit of the CP is like a home coming for the members of the association.

“The visit is like a home coming for all of us. We have been waiting to receive all of you. We are happy to receive all of you; NAGAFF has a cordial relationship with the Nigerian Police Force especially the ports Police”

“It has been part of our relationship built on trust, respect and of course to the best of our ability compliance to what we are doing at the ports. So we welcome you to NAGAFF. As you are here now we know that you have the experience to handle the positioned well” he said.

 

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