FG says Nigerian maritime domain is constantly under threat of pirate attacks

The Federal Government has raised concern over the high level of security threats confronting the entire Gulf of Guinea, which houses Nigeria’s maritime domain caused by pirate attacks and other criminalities on Nigerian waters.

Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), disclosed this in Lagos on Tuesday at the 2018 World Maritime Day celebration themed, “IMO at 70 Our Heritage: Better Shipping for Better Future,” which was aimed at celebrating the achievements of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) member states in ensuring safety of the maritime domain.

“The maritime industry in Nigeria and indeed globally has come under siege by criminal elements who orchestrate acts of piracy, sea robbery, arms proliferation, crude oil theft, terrorism, migration, illegal and unregulated fishing and oil theft in the Gulf of Guinea and within Nigeria’s territorial waters,” said the SGF, who was represented by Mustapha Baba Shehuri, Minister of State for Works, Power and Housing.

According to him, the gains recorded via dredging of the water channels, amnesty and port concession exercises in Nigeria, have nosedived due to the unfortunate security, thus compelling some foreign shipping companies to request for government’s approval to enter Nigeria’s territorial waters with armed security personnel onboard.

Despite the challenges, he further noted, government has not taking the issue of safety and security in the maritime sector lightly as it was also aware that the maritime industry must be protected to attract foreign investors and also preserve Nigeria‘s territorial integrity.

“We commend the Federal Ministry of Transportation for confronting the matter with all the seriousness it deserves. A contract has been awarded for the Integrated National Security and Water Protection Infrastructure in Nigeria under the Deep Blue Project. This project entails the provision of security infrastructure and training of personnel for the protection of Nigeria’s maritime domain. It is envisaged that this project will comprehensively address the emerging cases of insecurity in the maritime industry and restore investor confidence,” Mustapha assured.

Continuing, he said: “The treasures for our future growth and development lie in an improved shipping environment where safety and security of goods, services, seafarers and the shipping community is guaranteed. The lMO has been resolute in evolving strategies to facilitate efficient shipping and member countries should cultivate the benefits of the Blue Economy concept through creativity, innovativeness and collaboration.”

To deal with maritime crime, which is an organised crime, the SGF pointed to need for the Federal Government to collaborate with other countries to develop an integrated maritime security strategy in addressing the challenges of insecurity.

“The maritime domain is vulnerable and ensuring its security is certainly beyond the capacity of one country or any existing regional body acting alone. Our worries are mitigated when considered that Nigeria is endowed with knowledgeable industry players who are adequately equipped in the diverse industry-related services to provide the requisite professional and technical support,” he added.

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, said that concerted efforts are being made by government to strengthen the institutional capabilities of agencies responsible for providing maritime security in Nigeria’s maritime domain and around the Gulf of Guinea region.

He said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the procurement of new security architecture for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which involves the acquisition of new platforms and other logistics required to enable the Agency perform its statutory functions of securing the Nigerian waters in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy.

Sokonte Davies, executive director, Marine and Operations of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), who represented Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director of NPA, called for collaboration among security agencies in Nigeria dealing with criminal activities on the nation’s waterways.

According to him, there has been an increased activities of sea robbers around the ports, and the NPA is expecting some patrol vessels which would be given to the Nigerian Navy for patrolling the waterways.

AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE