Leading maritime activist and founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Boniface Aniebonam has called on the Port Police Command to limit the rising cases of illegal confiscation of cleared containers along the port access roads.
While describing his group as a strategic partner in the port business, he noted that enforcing the rule of law should be done in accordance with provisions of the laws.
Addressing the new Western Ports Commissioner of police; Mr. Alkali Shaba who paid courtesy visit to NAGAFF Village recently, he assured the police commissioner that his group will work with him to stamped out illegalities and corruption in the ports.
Responding, Shaba promise to work with NAGAFF and advised members to always direct their grievances to his office for redress.
He promised to stop the illegal arrest of containers by officers and men of the Police who engage in stopping of containers outside the port that are duly cleared saying it is illegal.
The Commissioner also advised freight forwarders operating at the nation’s ports to know their rights when dealing with police officers most especially as it concerns business activities
Members of NAGAFF had earlier complained the high-handedness of some men of the force who are in the habit of checking consignments that have been duly cleared from the ports; a situation the top police officer frowned at.
In his goodwill message, Dr. Aniebonam urged all members of NAGAFF to abide by the rule of law even as he appealed to them not to abuse the privilege of having a good relationship with the new commissioner.
He called for the introduction of community policing, stressing that the idea will help in crime prevention within the port community.
