The Commissioner of Police (CP) Western Port Command Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison has beckoned on maritime stakeholders to take advantage of the provisions of the International Shipping and Port Security (ISPS) code to enable them protect themselves and their properties in and around the port from security threats.
According to CP Ibifuro-Harrison “It is expected that all stakeholders in the maritime industry in Nigeria would rekindle their security consciousness and redouble their efforts, taking advantage of the provisions of the ISPS code and its functional requirements to ensure that the ports are proactively insulated from threats”.
She further stated that the ISPS code which was formed to enhance the security of ships and port facilities around the world, was geared towards making shipping activities more secure against threat of terrorism, piracy and smuggling and as such should be consulted more often by stakeholders to enable them hone their security consciousness.
The Commissioner of Police added that the port police command and other security agencies in the port had been performing their statutory duties of containing the activities of hoodlums and miscreants who were hell-bent on causing trouble in and around the port.
She however stated that security should not be left in the hands of the police and security agents alone and implored everyone to adopt security consciousness especially as laid out in the ISPS code.
“The functional requirements of the ISPS code entail gathering and assessing information with respect to security threat and exchanging such information with appropriate contracting government, maintenance of communication protocol for ships and port facilities, providing means for raising alarm in reaction to security threat”.
