From left: Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko presents a souvenir to the General Officer Commanding GOC, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Obinna Ajunwa during a visit to the NPA headquarters, Marina, Lagos, recently.

The Nigerian Ports Authority NPA has once again pledged its willingness to synergise and collaborate with stakeholders, especially the nation’s security apparatus including the military high command towards the protection of lives and property in and around all port facilities across the country.

Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko gave this assurance when he played host to the General Officer Commanding GOC, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Obinna Ajunwa at the NPA Marina, Lagos corporate headquarters.

Bello-Koko also disclosed that the authority has over the years enjoyed cordial working relationship with the Nigerian Army whenever there was the need to maintain law and order within its corridors. He lauded the swift deployment of soldiers to the authority’s corporate headquarters during the Endsars imbroglio where protesters who destroyed property belonging to the authority were arrested and prevented from causing loss of lives.

Mohammed Koko thanked the Army Chief for the visit, assuring him that the authority was ready to continue to strengthen the partnership in order to make the Port and the nation safe at all times.

He however, expressed his regrets to the Army Chief about the illegal activities said to be going on at the Takwa bay corridor. He recalled that the Takway bay facility belonged to the Authority and had been Gazetted. A part of the facility was given to the military for operational exercises, but was surprised that the land was being used to carry out series of illicit activities such as drug distribution and harboring of hoodlums.

While speaking during the visit, General Ajunwa stated that the military authorities were at the NPA as part of military tradition of familiarising with its neighbours such as the NPA. He reaffirmed that his personnel would assiduously carry out their core responsibility of protecting lives and property having assumed office in the last three months.

” I assumed duties three months ago. I felt that as part of our training, we should visit installations in my environment and one of them happens to be the NPA. My men are ready to carry out our responsibilities of protecting lives and property at all times’’

On the issue of illegal activities at the Takwa Bay, Ajunwa further stated that the command was discussing security related matters with various government agencies by way of being proactive in curbing unforeseen circumstances as the Yuletide period was fast approaching coupled with the forthcoming general elections.

 “We are not expecting any negative scene, but we must plan for unforeseen eventualities”, the GOC said.

He stated that it was constantly being raided by his men, but would further ensure that his operatives work with the NPA team to come up with a lasting solution to the issue.

The top management team of the NPA in company of the Managing Director were on ground to receive the GOC who had on his team other senior military officers.