The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has disclosed that will begin to enforce compliance among erring service providers in the shipping industry following the full backing of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The new Assistant Inspector General of Police, Maritime Police Command, Mr.
Pius Imue, gave the assurance when he visited the Council’s headquarters on Lagos.
The Police support is coming following a request by Executive Secretary of the Council, Barr.
Hassan Bello, to the Police to assist it effectively monitor compliance in the industry.
According to the AIG, the Police would give render the Council every support to enable it discharge its statutory obligations without hindrance.
Imue said that the Maritime Command of the Police is ready to dedicate a team that will accompany the Council in its monitoring of the industry.
According to him, a Desk for this assignment and other matters affecting the industry has been set up.
“If you want to visit any of the companies, give us 24 hour notice.
We shall give you police team to go for enforcement”.
It would be recalled that maritime industry stakeholders had called on the Council over two years ago to seek the support of the Police in enforcing some of its mandate.
The stakeholders had referred the Council to the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, NAFDAC, among others who have dedicated Police Units to enforce their statutory functions at any given time.
The management of the Council had however played this down, preferring a gentleman approach, a style that appears not to be working for the Council.
The Executive Secretary had during the visit called on the AIG to put an end to a situation in which some police officers were intercepting containers cleared at the ports on the high way.
According to Bello, this has been affecting trade facilitation because of the delay involved.