Shippers Council, Marine Police Synergize For Effective Port Environment Control

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Maritime Police Command, Lagos, AIG Olofu, Adetutu Rhoda last week received  a delegation from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council led by Mr. Sarumi  Adesina, Deputy Director Monitoring and Enforcement on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Pius Akutah.

The visit was to acquaint themselves with the AIG and also keep her abreast with the activities of the Council being an agency of the government established to regulate the port economy.

The Council appreciated the Maritime Police Command for the seamless working relationship enjoyed and for assisting them in enforcing their mandates.

The Council sought among others, the assistance of the AIG in reducing the rate of human interference at the cargo clearing point, clearance of port corridors of unauthorized persons and miscreants meddling in business activities, intervention in reduction of cargo dwell time, Police partnership in capacity building and sensitization of ports operators in order to facilitate trade, make the ports user friendly and ease of doing business, streamline Police activities at the port as its relate to infractions, and more synergy among the security agencies.

The AIG appreciated the Council for the unrivalled support the Command has received from them over the years and for effectively discharging their role as the Port Economic Regulator.

She assured that their pleas will be appropriately attended to and the results will be visible at the shortest possible time.

The AIG stated further that efforts are ongoing to speed up the completion of investigations on backlog of containers placed on hold or lien by the command in order to decongest the ports.

She said, the police stands for good. However, bearing in mind the unwholesome attitude and activities of some operators, the command will not fold it hands and allow the economy to crumble.

“We will live up to our responsibilities considering the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stand on importation.

“We will always partner with right thinking people that are doing their business legitimately” she stated

While reiterating her zero tolerance for illegality, the AIG seeks for sincerity among the importers and port operators in the declaration of their cargoes as the command will not tolerate those who are bent on distorting the economy of the nation with their nefarious activities.

“We will intensify efforts at sensitizing our men through capacity building that will help enhance our capacities at ensuring innovative solutions to our current challenges”, she concluded.