The new Port Police Commissioner in charge of Western Ports; Mr. Kayode Aderanti has warned terminal operators against illegal importation through their facilities, saying that the Police will not condone any port terminals to be be used to bring in dangerous weapons or questionable goods.
He also harped on the need for the concessionaires to upgrade their facilities, as part of measures to address some of the security challenges that are being faced in the country.
The new Port Police Commissioner in charge of Western Ports; Mr. Kayode Aderanti has warned terminal operators against illegal importation through their facilities, saying that the Police will not condone any port terminals to be be used to bring in dangerous weapons or questionable goods.
He also harped on the need for the concessionaires to upgrade their facilities, as part of measures to address some of the security challenges that are being faced in the country.
The port Police commissioner made this known against the backdrop of the security challenges that are being experienced in the country and the limitations of the existing scanners at the nation's seaport.
The commissioner who flagged-off his visit to formation under his command yesterday with an on-the-spot assessment of security situation at APM Terminals, GDNL, also visited the Western ports headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority in Apapa, Lagos. He was also at the Seaport Control office of the Nigeria Immigration Service as well as some police formations.
Specifically, he stated that: "The IG has told me to relate with the stakeholders in the ports to lay emphasis on the security challenges in country, because we believe that most of the items come in through the seaports and airports, that is why we are saying that we don't want any of the terminals to be used to bring in such items that is labelled red".
According to him, the scanners at the ports need to be of world standard to enhance effective examination of goods coming into the country through the seaports.
The police top brass noted that with the right equipment in place, security challenges at the port will reduce drastically.
"I am not a port expert, but I believe that we should have the right equipment at the port and with the right equipment in place, I don't believe that there is nobody that can bring in prohibited goods at the ports and that is the solution to checkmate some issues that have to do with illegal imports and to achieve international best practices at the ports", he stressed.
“Everybody knows that the scanners which the containers go through are meant for examination and the moment we have the scanners in good working condition, I believe that there is no way anybody can bring in illegal goods", he added.
He also directed police officers to cooperate with other agencies of government at the port whenever issues bordering on security emanate.
He also assured that the ports security will be water tight, even as he added that the police is ready to clampdown on any terminal found wanting.
Aderanti also assured that police personnel at the ports will be well motivated with the right equipment to work with.
He however warned that, "nobody will be allowed to obstruct my men in the line of discharging their duties, because we have the overall responsibility as the lead agency in all security matters and the port is inclusive”.
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