By: Felix Ikpotor
Eastern Ports Command of the Nigerian Police Force, has said that it is ready to tackle criminal elements otherwise known as ‘port rats’ that are bent on crippling the maritime economy through their nefarious activities at the ports.
Commissioner of Police in charge of Eastern Ports, CP Tami Evelyn Peterside stated this during a courtesy call on her by the Energy Maritime Reporters (EMR).
She said the ports were established to enhance business in the region and to generate revenue for the government and as such, there must be security for businesses to strive.
She noted that the recent arrest of some vandals who were destroying some berths in the port is a pointer that the ports under her command can’t be a safe haven for criminal elements.
“The port is established to enhance business activities and bring revenue to the government. We must curtail crime in the port in order for businesses to strive,” she said.
CP Peterside added: “While I’m here, I will try to ensure that crime is reduced to the barest minimum and we have demonstrated that in the recent arrest of some persons who were vandalising the quays in berth 8 of the NPA ports and those that steal wheat from trucks”.
The CP said the destruction of berths was peculiar to Port Harcourt ports alone as her command has not gotten such complaint in three other ports of Onne, Warri and Calabar under command.
She said those arrested have been charged to courts and are currently being remanded.
“I can tell you that they have all been charged to court and have been remanded. The evidence against them is overwhelming and that will serve as a deterrent to others. We will continue to do our work and ensure that this port ‘rats’ don’t kill business here,” she emphasided.
She said the command has also been able to check the challenge of community youths blocking gates and premises of companies in the ports through regular interface with them.
She commended EMR for effectively reporting activities of the ports.
Earlier, Chairman of Energy Maritime Reporters, Mr. Martins Giadom in his address said the body has come to familiarize with the command and to seek ways of partnership for effective ports coverage.
He also commended the command for the giant strides it made by apprehending some ports ‘rats’ recently and further appealed for “regular Police/ EMR interactions so as to exchange views on areas of common interests. This way, you would understand our areas of need for support and we too could understand how best to be of assistance to your command”.
