The new Commissioner of Police in charge of the Western ports, Mrs Hilda Harrison has charged stakeholders in port operations to furnish the police with information on port security, saying it is relevant in helping the force to perform better.
She also cautioned that maritime operators who contravene ports rules and regulations would face the full weight of the law.
Harrison gave the warning during a courtesy visit to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Lagos.
The new Commissioner of Police in charge of the Western ports, Mrs Hilda Harrison has charged stakeholders in port operations to furnish the police with information on port security, saying it is relevant in helping the force to perform better.
She also cautioned that maritime operators who contravene ports rules and regulations would face the full weight of the law.
Harrison gave the warning during a courtesy visit to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Lagos.
According to her, bribery is a canker worm killing the growth of the maritime industry and must be nipped in the bud.
“We all see, we all do and we are doing nothing about it. It is so sad and so painful because bribery diminishes a man. It is very shameful.
“If you fear God and respect yourself, you will not take bribe and you will not be corrupt,’’ she said.
She warned that the law does not allow bribery and corruption and urged maritime stakeholders to guard against bribing security operative.
Harrison also called on relevant agencies operating in the maritime industry to support the Police, in ensuring that security at the port is not compromised, adding that security at the seaports is a serious business that cannot be violated.
She stressed that with information from stakeholders will enable the port police commands to perform optimally, adding that any port users that breached security at the ports must be punished.
Harrison reiterated that her mandate is to ensure that stakeholders in the sector must abide to the rules and regulations in the ports noting that the ports have its restricted area .
The commissioner however called on members of NAGAFF and other relevant stakeholders to collaborate on security issues.
On his part President of NAGAFF; Chief Eugene Nweke said that the association will continue to partner with police in ensuring that the Nigerian seaports are secured adequately.
Nweke said that standardization at the seaports must not be compromised and urged stakeholders to direct issues surrounding security at the ports to further it to the commissioner’s office.
The NAGAFF president told the Commissioner that the association is involved in public advocacy noting that security at the ports is of essence to enable fast clearance of cargoes at the ports.
He added that there is need for collaboration and sharing of information as regards security at the seaports.
Also speaking, Chief Boniface Aniebonam, Founder of NAGAFF advised members to avoid breaching the laws and to be alert and provide necessary information for effective policing of the ports.
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