Port congestion: AiG Maritime promises speedy action on containers under investigation
Port congestion: AiG Maritime promises speedy action on containers under investigation
Segun Oladipupo
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Maritime, AIG Olofu, Adetutu Rhoda has promised that the command would expedite investigations on containers on lien in order to decongest the port and facilitate ease of doing business at the port.
She made the promise on Wednesday, 29th November, 2023 when a delegation from Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) led by Mr. Sarumi Adesina, Deputy Director Monitoring and Enforcement on behalf of the Secretary/ CEO visited the AiG in her office.
ASP Ehinmode A. Rowland,
Ag. Police Public Relations Officer, stated this in a release made available to our correspondent.
While appreciating the Council for the support over the years enabling effective discharge of its duty, she stated that efforts are underway to speed up the completion of investigations on backlog of containers placed on hold or lien by the command in order to decongest the ports.
She maintained that the command would not fold its hands and allow unwholesome attitude and activities of some operators that can lead to the economy crumbling.
Her words, “We will live to our responsibilities considering the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stand on importation.
“We will always partner with right thinking people that are doing their business legitimately,” she submitted.
Reiterating her zero tolerance for illegality, the AIG seeks for sincerity among the importers and port operators in the declaration of their cargoes saying that the command will not tolerate those who are bent on distorting the economy of the nation with their nefarious activities.
“We will intensify efforts at sensitizing our men through capacity building that will help enhance our capacities at ensuring innovative solutions to our current challenges”, she concluded.
Earlier, the Shippers’ Council delegation told the AiG that the visit was to acquaint the Council with the command and to keep the law enforcement agency abreast of its activities as the Port Economic Regulator.
The Council appreciated the Maritime Police Command for the seamless working relationship enjoyed and for assisting them in enforcing their mandates.
The Council sought among others, the assistance of the AIG in reducing the rate of human interference at the cargo clearing point, clearance of port corridors of unauthorized persons and miscreants meddling into business activities, intervention in reduction of cargo dwell time, Police partnership in capacity building and sensitization of ports operators in order to facilitate trade, make the ports user friendly and ease of doing business streamline Police activities at the port as it relates to infractions, and more synergy among the security agencies.
