NPA charges Police, Navy, others to end attacks on barge operators, other port facilities

The acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko, has sought the support and cooperation of the newly -appointed Assistant Inspector General of the Nigeria Police in charge of maritime, and the Nigerian Navy to end the incessant cases of attacks on vessels, barge operators and other port facilities around the waterfronts and channels.

The NPA also charged the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC on the need to clear all hindrances and bottlenecks that impede free flow of traffic on all port corridors, with a view to ensuring efficient handling of cargo in and out of the nation’s seaports.

The  Ag. Managing Director spoke during a meeting with the AIG Maritime, Amadi John Ogbonnaya, officials of Lagos State Government,  Commander of the NNS Beecroft, Commodore Bashiru, Mohammed ably represented by Lt Commander A.S Manga, and Sector Commander of the FRSC, Matthew Cyril Zango, among others and government agencies in the maritime industry.

Bello Koko urged the AIG Maritime and other security agencies to urgently assist the NPA in addressing the rising cases of attacks on vessels, barge operators and other port facilities, especially around the waterfronts and the channel areas.

He also sought the support of the AIG in helping to address the persistent complaints by stakeholders on extortion, illegal mounting of roadblocks by uniform personnel from the security agencies, associations and unions, all of who operate along the seaport corridors comprising also Tin Can-Coconut, Mile 2, Orile, around the SIFAX Terminal on Ijora-Olopa as well as Police Area B, Wharf and Creek Roads, among others.

He added that efforts were being intensified to dismantle all illegal check points with a call to truck drivers to resist extortion.

“I wish to use this opportunity to thank the Lagos State Government, the FRSC and the PAPC of the Lagos State Police Command for their support and collaboration with the NPA on the enforcement of the Electronic Call-Up System, called ‘Eto’ and the Clearance Operation.

“The authority would like the AIG to use his good office to assist in the following areas of interest or concern; strengthening the existing collaboration between the Lagos State Police Command and the PAPC, assist in the challenge of persistent complaints by stakeholders of extortion and erecting illegal roadblocks by uniformed security operatives from government security agencies, unions and associations on Port corridors.

“Other issues requiring the AIG’s urgent attention include assist in follow-ups with the Force Headquarters Abuja for additional maritime Police personnel/gunnery to enable the authority commission its newly acquired patrol boats.

“To assist in the follow-up for the establishment of Marine Police units in Calabar and Delta Ports respectively”, Bello Koko said.

In his warm welcome to the new AIG, Bello Koko  said the NPA management looked forward to working with him and to improve existing relationship between the authority and the Police high command.

Also in attendance at the meeting were the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, Commissioner of Police in charge of Port Authority Police Command, CP Nasiru Adamu, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor, Hon. Sola Giwa, an official of the Directorate of State Security DSS, A.K Aminu, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor, Hon. Toyin Fayinka and some officials of TTP, the consultant operating the Eto e-call up system, among others.