Lagos Marine Police boss, Folawiyo visits NIMASA, seeks interagency cooperation
The Lagos Police Commissioner in charge of Maritime Command, CP David Folawiyo has paid a courtesy visit at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre (NMRDC), Lagos and had fruitful discussion with the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside.
While with the DG, he noted that his command was in NIMASA to fraternize with the Agency for its achievements since the assumption of Dr. Peterside as Director General; and to also chart a path of possible partnership and collaboration as well as inform the Agency of the Command’s plans and activities.
He noted that a strong cogent relationship between NIMASA and the Nigerian Police Force was necessary to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment and that his team was ready to support the Agency to realize it enabling mandates.
CP Folawiyo disclosed the number of Police Officers deployed to the 63 police outposts within his Command. He added that the existing 2,500 Officers and men within his jurisdiction would be augmented to 5,000 on or before December, 2017. He informed the NIMASA Management that 1,300 men would be deployed to cover maritime alone, while 1,200 and 200 Officers and men are expected to be deployed to cover ports and coast activities respectively.
Giving further insights, Folawiyo averred that “We are planning to bring in two helicopters to provide aerial surveillance of our maritime domain; and we are also seeking the approval of government to establish the Western and Eastern Maritime Zone to ensure effective policing and we know that this visit to NIMASA is a step in the right direction”.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Peterside noted that the Police Officers’ first order of business was to serve and protect; and that as an Agency of the government of Nigeria, whose mandates include ensuring safety of the Nigerian’s waterways.
According to him, security has a wide implication for the maritime sector and that NIMASA is taking the issue of Maritime security seriously in line with the global industry benchmark and standard, particularly the International Ships and Ports Facility security (ISPS) Code to enhance growth and regional stability.
Dr. Peterside commended the delegation and the entire Maritime Command of the Police Force, noting that a symbiotic relationship between NIMASA and other institutions of government in Nigeria was necessary to guarantee safety and security of our Maritime corridor, hence further promote ease of doing business in the country, in line with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
