The Commissioner of Police in charge of Western Command of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mr. Celestine Okoye has said that the police personnel have lost grip of the security in Lagos ports.
Speaking exclusively to Shipping Position last week in Apapa, the Police Commissioner called for visibility of policemen at the ports, saying that there is no visibility of police in the ports.
He also maintained that if police visibility is felt, cases of vandalism and pilfering be a thing of the past.
“As I came in, I was not happy, but I am trying to put things in shape. Because it is like the police in the port we have lost grip of the security. And that was why I have instructed my DPOs to ensure that there is pure visibility of our police men. I have realised that there is no visibility of the police men”.
He explained that, “visibility does not mean overloading the gates with police, just few police men at the gate they should be in all nooks and crannies of the ports. Because if the police presence is felt in every part of the port, all these wharf rats cannot operate because they know that they can be caught at any time”.
According to him, there is need to also police the waterways, even as he said that his officers are complaining of lack of patrol boat.
He also disclosed that he plans to see the Chief Security Officer (CSOs) of all the shipping companies and terminal operators in Lagos ports on the way forward.
“I will ensure that the place is well policed, even the waterways. Because I have just discussed with my marine officers about the waterways, they complained about the boat but at least they have the one they can be using for patrol. They have to go, I wouldn’t want to be found wanting. I intend seeing most of the Chief Security Officers (CSOs) of some companies, organisations and terminals here so that we will know how to put things in order.”
I will be going there personally, I don’t think I will be sending anyone, so that I will have first-hand information of all that is happening in the port. With my coming in here, at least that will tell, people that I want to work, I don’t want to be an arm chair commissioner of police in the ports” he concluded.
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