Maritime sector, a key component, treasure to Nigeria’s economic development - Horsfall, AIG Maritime Command

By Abiodun OBA

The maritime sector is a key component and treasure to Nigeria’s economic development which must be kept safe and secured.

The new Assistant Inspector General of the Command, SUSAN U. HORSFALL, reiterated while addressing members of the Command in her office at Kam Salem House, Lagos on resumption of duty.

The AIG who warned operatives of Maritime Police Command to shun all acts of corruption in the discharge of their duties as severe actions shall be taken against any corrupt officer caught in the course of duty, further reiterated the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Egbetokun’s goals and expectations in line with government policy and modern-day policing.

She said, “In addition to the general Police duties, this Command is expected to key into, complement, and to reinforce the policy direction of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria as has been severally re-echoed by the Inspector-General of Police in line with the administration’s efforts to reposition the country’s economy and to combat insecurity, especially in our inland waterways and costal axis. The maritime sector is a key component and treasure to Nigeria’s economic development. We must keep it safe and secured!

“This Command has the enormous duty to patrol and police our waterways and to keep it safe and secured for legitimate operators as part of the social contract between the government and the citizens; we are duty bound to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Ports Authority and other sister agencies of government to ensure efficient management of Port operations in order to guarantee adequate return on national investments for the benefits of the Nigerian citizens. We cannot fail!”

AIG called on the officers to ensure diligence, energy, and professionalism in discharging their roles, be blind to bribery and corruption, as he “will not tolerate any form of illicit and unprofessional conduct from any police officer found culpable”.

AIG Horsfall reminded the police that in discharging their duties, they must be civil in their approach and interaction with members of the public, especially the host communities of the coastal areas.

She pointed out that, “To achieve this desired result, you must build trust and entertain friendly disposition to the members of the public, while affirming absolute resolve in keeping up with the policy of government at the same time. Members of the public are not your enemies, but the bad guys are!”.

“As Police Officers of the modern era, you are expected to be innovative and to move with the time. Improving your knowledge base and capacity is equally a task required to conform with 21st-century policing; the usage of modern electronic creations to achieve optimal operational results will be expected of you.

“Conversely, too, you must not allow yourselves to be carried away or subsumed by social media activities. As Police officers, you are expected to act professionally in private and in public. You must not demean your status!

Horsfall implored members of the Force to ensure a great deal of teamwork in discharging their responsibilities.

She emphasized, “Teamwork can increase safety, improve effectiveness, strengthen communication, boost morale, and make this Command more attractive and successful.

“It suffices to state that a well-functioning team has synergy: the group members work together and help each other, improving each other’s ideas and actions”.

On welfare of the operatives, the AIG confirmed that IGP Egbetokun directed that to make police officers diligent and perform optimally, their welfare must be taken into consideration, and very seriously too, assuring of his unalloyed support “for our activities and operations as well as keeping up and improving your welfare. He was emphatic that there would always be an attractive reward for gallantry”.

The AIG assured further, “I intend to run an open-door policy. You are free, just as every other member of the public, to approach me. I will always be available and accessible to all. I will equally be assessing your activities and conduct in discharging your duties as responsible Police Officers.

“You must shun every form of corruption. As AIG of this Command, I will not hesitate to take severe measure(s) against any corrupt officer.

“Having resumed duty, I felt the need to address you all and to notify you of your enormous responsibilities and expectations. You must play by the rules. If you play by the rules, we will all be fine,” she concluded.