How FG is revamping security in Eastern Ports – AIG Ali

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Eastern Ports,
AIG Abdulmajeed Ali has said sincere efforts were on by the Federal
Government to restore activities of the ports in the Niger-Delta as
soon as possible.

AIG Ali disclosed this while speaking with newsmen at NPA, Port Harcourt.

He said the major factor that affected Ports in the Niger-Delta was
insecurity which led to the creation of a special Police Zone for
Eastern Ports by the Inspector General of Police.

He added that in an effort to restore confidence of importers and
major stakeholders, a Commissioner of Police was also posted to each
of the Ports in the Zone with improved security arrangements.

He said the Police will continue to engage stakeholders on the need
for the people to cooperate with the Federal government to make the
ports fully operational.

"Before now, there used to be activities in the ports with heavy duty
ships berthing and all that but because of the insecurity all that
stopped.

"The insecurity discouraged those involved in the sector to take off
and relocate to Lagos. There was kidnapping, sea piracy and so on.

"But as you can see, the Federal government is working hard to revamp
the security in the Eastern Ports and that is why the Inspector
General of Police, Ibrahim Idris mni, decided to create this Zone to
provide adequate security within and outside the ports.

"Our responsibility is to complement what the Navy and other relevant
agencies are doing. And I can tell you for sure that the Federal
government is committed to reviving the ports.

"All we want is for traditional rulers, religious leaders and other
leaders of thought to talk to their children, their youths to stop
these criminal activities so that the economy of the Niger Delta can
compete with that of Lagos," Ali said.

Ports within the Eastern zone include, Warri, Calabar as wells as Onne
and Port Harcourt both in Rivers state.