The Federal Government has vowed to protect the nation’s over $14billion maritime trade from criminals operating on its territorial waters.
This will be achieved by strengthening the institutional capabilities of maritime agencies, thereby positioning the country as a hub of maritime activities in West and Central Africa.
Speaking at the World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos, yesterday, with the theme: ‘Our Heritage-Better Shipping for a Better Future’, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the procurement of new security architecture for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). This 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, to stem the cycle of criminalities on the nation’s territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
Government, the SGF said, is addressing the emerging cases of insecurity in the maritime industry to restore investors’ confidence in the country.
Mustapha, who was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Power and Housing, Mustapha Shehuri, commended the Federal Ministry of Transportation and NIMASA for showing the zeal, determination and commitment to return the country to its place of pride by making Nigeria a hub of maritime activities in the sub-region.
ThePresident Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, he said, is determined to maximise the potentials inherent in foreign exchange earnings and employment opportunities in the maritime sector, for the local populace.
He said the theme for this year’s celebration is not merely a slogan, but a fundamental question that requires individual countries to provide sincere answers in line with the founding objectives of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which include, better shipping, safety and security of ships and seafarers as well as the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
He said the event has equally provided opportunity for stock-taking by member countries to assess what has been achieved, the present challenges and articulate the way forward for sustainable growth of maritime transport.
“After 70 years of global maritime community under the IMO regime, can Nigeria be said to have maximized her maritime potentials? Has the country and its citizens reaped the gains of its maritime resources with positive indices on economic development? Are efforts being made to harness the blue economy prospects in achieving economic diversification for Nigeria? Has the IMO Instruments been adequately utilized in bringing about safety and security of the waterways within Nigeria’s territorial waters? For me, these are the issues that we must confront with facts and figures if Nigeria hopes to retain its relevance and dominance as a regional maritime hub.
- Government’s policy to Concession Port Facilities and services to private interests has had a profound effect on job creation and opportunities in the maritime industry from warehousing, cargo handling/delivery and documentation among others.
“It was reported that within six years of the Port Concession, private operators had employed over 48,000 Nigerians against a little over 14,000 before the policy shift. These are, of course, notable achievements which we need to consolidate further.
“In spite of the numerous recorded achievements, the maritime industry in Nigeria and 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. The gains recorded via dredging, amnesty and port concession exercises in Nigeria nosedived due to this unfortunate scenario thus compelling some foreign shipping companies to request for Government’s approval to enter Nigeria’s territorial waters with armed security personnel onboard.
“Thankfully, the Government is not taking the issue of safety and security in the Maritime sector lightly. Like the proverbial goose that lays the golden egg, the maritime industry must be protected to attract foreign investors and also preserve Nigeria’s territorial integrity. Permit me to commend the Federal Ministry of Transportation for confronting the matter with all the seriousness it deserves. I am aware that 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 investors confidence.
In his address, the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi said, the country, as a member of IMO has the responsibility of ensuring safety and security of shipping and protection of maritime environment.
Amaechi, who was represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Sabi’u Zakari said, the country enjoys a large share in the movement of cargoes across the globe, due to its location along the Gulf of Guinea but regretted that the route has witnessed a lot of maritime crimes, which has affected shipping activities around the region.
A safe, secure and efficient shipping industry, Amaechi said, would assist in revitalising and diversifying the nation’s economy “away from crude oil exploration to a maritime hub.
“Statistics show a total freight cost estimate of between $5 billion and $6 billion annually, while the maritime component of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is worth an estimated $8 billion alongside seabome transportation, oceanic extractive resource exploitation and export processing zones.
“It is worthy to note that for effective contribution of shipping activities to the development of Nigeria’s economy, there is urgent need to curb and combat these illegal maritime activities in our waters as these crimes continue to constitute impediments to economic development. “As long as these crimes continue to pose danger to the Gulf of Guinea and our maritime domain, the benefits of the theme of this year’s World Maritime Day celebration will continue to be elusive,” Amaechi said.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside said the agency would continue to collaborate with all relevant government agencies within and outside the country to ensure safe and secure maritime domain of the country and the Gulf of Guinea.
Over 3,000 operators,importers, clearing agents, seafarers, ship owners, heads of government agencies like ‘NPA, Railway, NIWA, Shippers Council, Police, Navy and other stakeholders were at the event held at Eko Hotel.