By Roland Ekama
The Nigeria Customs Service and Western Port Authority Command, Nigeria Police Force have resolved to work in harmony for round the clock policing of the Lagos seaports in a bid to ensure smooth port operations.
The two agencies further harped on the best way to support government policies on the ease of doing business at the western ports to thrive with a view of ensuring smooth trade facilitation and free flow of cargoes in and out of the ports.
Speaking on Thursday in Lagos, during a courtesy visit by the Area Controller,Ports and Terminals Multiservices Limited (PTML), Command, Nigeria Customs Service to the Lagos Ports Complex LPC,Western Ports Authority Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jonathan Towuru noted that security is paramount in port operations and all relevant government of agencies must collaborate to achieving crime free seaports.
CP Towuru told his guest , Comptroller Suleiman Bomai and top echelon of the command that the police personnel at the seaports will continue to provide 24hours security for stakeholders noting that the divisional officers are always prompt to responses from operators’.
The Port Commissioner of Police stressed that information sharing with customs and other agencies of the government was essential to carry out round the clock security check adding that customs have been cooperative in achieving orderliness, sanity and crime free port operations.
He further called on the customs top brass to always consult and contact the command on any security breaches by any form of criminal elements associated with port operations.
CP Towuru added that:”We have a role to play and the customs also has a role to play in securing our ports. We have to complement ourselves on the ease of doing business. If the port thrives the economy will benefit from it because revenue will be generated and employment of Nigerians will increase.”
He recalled that three Area Controllers from the service had visited the command since assuming office as Commissioner of Police in charge of the Western Port Authority.
Earlier , Comptroller Bomai disclosed that Service still remains a baby of the police saying that two police officers started what is today known as customs.
Comptroller Bomai added that police play paramount role as lead agency on security matters in the ports operations pointing out that the common goal from the government on national security must be achieved.
The PTML Command Controller noted that inter agency cooperation is key adding that formal and informal synergizes must be held high in galvanising the existing relationship with sister agencies.
He also frowned at inter-agencies rivalry in port operations noting that cooperation and collaboration was key to achieving success in policing the ports.
He said : “The task of policing the seaports is more difficult than the conventional policing in the country. Without inter-agencies collaboration in this country there is no way we can move forward.”
Caption:
Comptroller Suleiman Bomai, Customs Area Controller,PTML Command, NCS presenting a souvenir to the Commissioner of Police in charge of Western Port Authority Command, NPF on Thursday in Lagos
