The Maritime Police Command has warned truck owners against aiding criminal activities, including facilitating the movement of prohibited substances and other contraband.
The Command also sought their support in sustaining order and security along the port corridors.
The remarks were made when the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, hosted the leadership of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Apapa Chapter, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Saro, on a courtesy visit to the Command.
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Adebayo Rasheed Adesayo, on Friday, the visit was in recognition of the sustained efforts of the AIG towards facilitating legitimate maritime activities and addressing operational challenges affecting the movement of trucks and cargo within the port environment.
Speaking during the engagement, Alhaji Saro commended the AIG Maritime for her leadership and commitment to the objectives of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Port Clearance Exercise conducted earlier in the year, particularly the efforts directed at easing port congestion, eliminating illegal checkpoints, and addressing activities associated with extortion along the port corridors.
He noted that the impact of the AIG Maritime’s intervention had extended beyond the two-day PEBEC exercise, stressing that the Association had continued to witness sustained efforts towards ensuring that the identified abnormalities did not return.
The Chairman also acknowledged the improved movement of trucks within the port environment, reduction in avoidable road accidents, and increased truck movement and improved turnaround times.
Saro stated that the developments had contributed positively to the facilitation of legitimate maritime trade, while expressing the Association’s appreciation for the continued engagement and support of the Maritime Police Command.
He further assured the AIG Maritime of AMATO’s continued cooperation towards maintaining a safe, orderly, and business-friendly port environment.
In her remarks, AIG Nurat welcomed the delegation and appreciated the Association for the visit.
She described the cooperation and support of maritime stakeholders as essential to the effective discharge of the mandate of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, within the maritime domain.
The AIG Maritime reiterated that the gains recorded in improving the port environment must be sustained through continuous collaboration, responsible stakeholder participation, intelligence sharing and strict adherence to the law.
She urged AMATO members not to provide transportation facilities or other forms of assistance to criminal elements operating within or around the port environment.
Nurat cautioned truck owners and transport operators against knowingly or unknowingly facilitating the movement of contraband, prohibited items, illicit consignments, arms or other materials capable of undermining national security, particularly as the country approaches another election period.
She called on AMATO members to promptly provide the Police and other appropriate security authorities with credible information and intelligence concerning suspicious persons, movements, consignments or activities, assuring the Association that such information would be handled with the requisite confidentiality and professionalism.
The Command expressed appreciation to AMATO for its recognition, cooperation, and continued partnership.
It called on all stakeholders within the maritime sector to remain committed to lawful conduct, responsible transportation practices, information sharing, and collective efforts towards sustaining a safe, secure, orderly and efficient port environment.
