The Commissioner of Police, Eastern Port Command, James Caulcrick, says his command lacks adequate arms and ammunition to effectively police the port.
He lodged this complaint to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Maritime Command, Kalafite Adeyemi, when she visited the zone in Port Harcourt.
According to Caulcrick, the greater challenges facing the command are inadequate arms and ammunition for effective patrol and guard duties within the ports and its environs, lack of gunboats and patrol boats, as well as lack of personalized radio transmission network within the barracks. He also mentioned shortage of operational vehicles, barracks accommodation for Port Police personnel and inadequate staffing of the Command.
Speaking during the visit, the AIG warned policemen on duty at various seaports in the country to ensure that no illegal weapons are shipped into the country as she declared her officers’ readiness to provide security along waterways during the forthcoming general elections scheduled for March 28th and April 11th 2015.
She appealed to security operatives to ensure adequate security to avoid any loophole that could make importation of illegal firearms through the ports possible ahead of the general elections.
“The importance of this visit cannot be complete without giving notice that no election can take place in the absence of viable service.
“The success of the 2015 general election rests on our shoulders in being vigilant. Therefore, all efforts should be geared towards avoiding criminal elements from using our ports to bring in weapons and dangerous materials for use to cause violence during the elections.
“We have been lecturing our men to be of good behaviour. They are going to perform well. We are ready for the elections. We are out to do our jobs and to be on steady patrol of the waterways.”