The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF)has assured the commissioner of police, Western Ports of the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA);, Mr Celestine Okoye of cooperation to ensure a healthy business environment in the ports.
The association said this on Wednesday when the new Commissioner of Police paid a familiarizing visit to NAGAFF head office in Lagos.
Speaking during the visit, the president of NAGAFF, Chief Increase Uche promised the Commissioner of Police of the association’s support in making his tenure as the new CP Western Ports, a success.
"I am assuring you that NAGAFF is ever determined to work with you, we would want you to count on our support and cooperation in making your tenure as the CP of Port Authority Police, Western Command a success", he assured his guest.
Uche also emphasized on the need for the Police and the association to maintain a very cordial relationship to ensure the protection of life and property in the ports.
He told the Police boss that: "We are however mindful of the relationship with the Nigeria Police Force. Our organization is also conversant with the critical role of the police in ensuring the protection of lives and properties particularly, the ports environment which is regarded as a high security area. It is therefore important to recognise the fact that the responsibility of the police in providing security within the ports cannot be overemphasized".
He also called on the commissioner of police to lend his ear to some of the challenges that clearing agents face in the course of doing their business in the ports.
"I will like to draw your attention to the few challenges facing our operations as critical stakeholders at the ports. These include but not limited to the incessant abuse of the general duty powers of the police", he told the police chief.
He also said that aside the abuse of the powers of police, their members also face harassment by government agencies in the ports.
"Aside from this, we have the issue of unchecked harassment and violation of the right of our members by the various agencies of the government at the ports with regards to access into the ports, the non-enforcement of regulations, the resistance to change by ports users, the high handedness of terminal operators and shipping companies, the deplorable state of the ports access roads and the wide spread of corruption in the system. It is our beliefe that our amiable CP shall lend his voice on this regrettable situation" he concluded.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police disclosed that plans are ongoing to collaborate with Lagos State Police Command and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to address the challenges affecting traffic within the ports access roads in Apapa.
The Commissioner also affirmed that traffic within the Apapa and Tin Can port axis has made thousands of companies to relocate out of Apapa and must be nipped in the bud.
"I will be working with the stakeholders in the ports. There will be positive change in the ports. On the issue of traffic, we have solid arrangement with the Lagos state command because the traffic situation in Apapa is of concern to everybody. The Apapa police, state command and other security agencies will team together to address the traffic issue in Apapa"
Speaking further, founder of NAGAFF, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, applauded he Commissioner for relocating his office from Marina to Apapa.
"The CP has shown real leadership by relocating his office from Marina to Apapa that shows he is ready to work"
He also said that the problem we have is the will to enforce regulations.
He also urges the member to support to the police by obeying the laws.
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