Commissioner of Police in charge of Western Port, Mrs. Hilda Harrison Ibifuro has said that arrangements have been put in place to ensure effective flow of traffic around the port environment as the festive period approaches and level of importation into the country is expected to increase.
Speaking when she paid a courtesy visit to the Customs Area Controller, Lilypond Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Isa Talatu yesterday, Ibifuro said the gridlock along the port poses a menace to port users but assured that more officers have been deployed on the road to assist in reducing the congestion on the port access road.
“Relating to the traffic gridlock, it is a problem that has been on ground. It is one that has been inconveniencing everybody who has course to come around the port. To ensure that traffic flows, I have put in more men, lectured them as to what they can do and synergize with all other agencies on ground to ensure that they work together,” she said.
She added that the order banning the use of motorcycles otherwise known as Okada around the port areas has further been reinforced and according to her, officers are working round the clock to ensure that motorcycles are not seen around the port.
Reacting to allegation of extortion from truck drivers by the police unit at Lilypond, the Police boss warned the officers against bribery and corruption saying that the authorities would no longer condone such practices.
She urged both agents and truck drivers with report of corrupt practices against any officer to report to her office saying that anyone found wanting will be dealt with to serve as deterrent to others.
“For my period here and beyond my period I expect them to have zero tolerance for corruption. Money should not be extorted from any truck drivers. As a matter of fact they should be able to work in such a way that they create lanes for smaller vehicles and for the trucks and these trucks should move at a pace at which they are suppose to move. And for anybody who has such issues of corruption with any of my police men should come forward with the report and such officer will be disciplined,” the police boss said.
She promised to work on the attitude of her officers on the need to be more courteous especially when relating to members of the public.
“I have also talked to my men about their change of attitude particularly courtesy. They need to be more courteous particularly to members of the public. They need to be more receptive to complaints. They should have a listening hear and be patient with people and listen to whatever complaints people bring to them,” she said.
On her part, Comptroller Talatu said her command will continue to partner and synergize with the police to function better and ensure that the good relationship is maintained.
She said: “This visit will strengthen the good relationship we have been having with the DPO here. It is really good seeing a woman being the port police commissioner and I am sure that there will be changes within the police force.”
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