The Lagos State Police Marine Officer, OC Chinedu Iwuozor has urged water transporters in the state to partner with the Police in order to ensure safety and security of the Lagos waterways.
The new Police boss said this during his courtesy visit to the headquarters of Tarzan Marine Enterprises in Lagos last week.
OC Chinedu Iwuozor noted that since his appointment he has been visiting the waterways and the relevant stakeholders to familiarize in order to understand the culture and create a synergy that would ensure safety of the waterways.
“Tarzan Marine Enterprise is one of the major stakeholders in water transportation in Lagos, hence my visit today would play a strategic role in partnering with boat operators in policing Lagos waterways” he said.
He stated that it was from stakeholders like Tarzan that the Police could obtain the lead on certain issues of criminality even as he advocated for further relationships between boat operators and the Police.
“Lagos is into tourism, so there is a need to ensure that activities in the waterways do not jeopardize tourism in the state. It is our duty as Police Officers to ensure the safety of the waterways at all times” he added.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Tarzan Marine Enterprises, Mr. Gani Balogun said he was honoured to have hosted the new Marine Police boss.
Balogun, who is also the President of Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transportation of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), reechoed the importance of safety of waterways and he affirmed that communication was germane to the partnership between the Police and boat operators.
Balogun also promised to sensitize the members of ATBOWATON to ensure safety in their operations at all times and also speedily report security threats or any anomaly to the police.
Speaking on his case with the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Balogun revealed that he was open to diplomacy with the state government.
“The case comes up in November, but I’m open to a peaceful resolution with LASWA. I think they have suddenly realized that I have developed Badore and Ijede jetties and they want more money.
“If that is the case they should be open and if we have to renegotiate and the terms are fair, then I can listen. Otherwise, I’m going for justice” he said.
