The Commissioner, Western Ports Police Command, Celestine Okoye, has said that the command is facing several challenges, which hampers its ability to effectively secure the ports.
Okoye said this in Lagos on Tuesday during the maiden visit of the new Assistant Inspector General of Police, Maritime Command, Alikali Baba Usman to the Western Port Command in Apapa.
He said, “We have some challenges which include lack of adequate manpower to cover the entire ports and its environs to effectively police the area, inadequate patrol vehicles, lack of patrol gun boats for the marine personnel to provide security on the waterways, lack of accommodation for officers and men of the Command and lack of operational kits.”
Okoye informed the AIG that he relocated his office from Marina to Apapa to ensure close supervision of officers and men, prompt response to complaint from stakeholders and improve service delivery to ports personnel, terminal operators and port users.
Addressing men and officers of the Command, AIG Usman, asked them to shun corruption, high-handedness and acts that could tarnish the image of the Nigeria Police Force.
He said, “Ports Authority Police Command is situated where the country makes huge revenue and it is also a gateway to other countries. So, portray a good image of the police, guard your job jealously and be competent and disciplined.”
