•Destroys 1,610 oil thieves equipment
Despite inadequacies in its platforms, the Nigerian Navy (NN) said yesterday that over 80 vessels have been arrested, with 1,610 illegal refineries, oil barges, wooden boats and auxiliary equipments destroyed in the last 18 months.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command (ENW), Rear Admiral Henry Babalola, spoke at the second Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) conference for African countries, held in Victoria Island, Lagos. It was organised by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas in conjunction with International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC).
Presenting a paper themed ‘‘Nigeria’s contribution to maritime security in West Africa’, Babalola said the Navy in order to create deterrence for criminality at sea, has deployed ships and boats on routine maritime patrol, which have arrested suspects and handed them over to relevant local law enforcement agencies.
“For instance, from January last year till date, the NN has effected arrest of 80 vessels and their crew, destroyed over 200 illegal refineries, 58 oil barges, 93 large wooden boats and 1,259 auxiliary equipment.
“The suspects were handed over to prosecuting agencies for investigation and prosecution. This is important for repression of illicit activities at sea and restoration of the rule of law and ocean governance.’’
Earlier in his welcome address, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas reiterated the NN’s relentlessness in the fight against oil theft and other maritime crimes, adding that in executing its role, the force has continued to re engineer its processes and procedures to be able to deliver effective maritime security to the nation.
While reiterating that Africa’s maritime domain remains strategic with enormous potentials that have been persistently challenged by a myriad of threats, Ibas noted that the threats constitute serious challenges with adverse consequences on collective maritime governance and economic wellbeing of member nations.
He stated that Africa’s maritime domain remains strategic with enormous potentials that have been persistently challenged by a myriad of threats including piracy, sea robbery, human trafficking, oil theft and illegal bunkering.
Ibas said these threats constitute serious challenges with adverse consequences on collective maritime governance and economic wellbeing of member countries, noting the need for the enthronement of constructive, proactive, sustainable and holistic maritime security architecture.
‘‘Achieving such structure would however remain a mirage against half-hearted efforts. Accordingly, Africa needs to be committed in embracing core attributes such as elimination of sea blindness, sincerity of purpose, strength of character and, above all, the will of all member states and stakeholders to effectively cooperate and collaborate for enduring maritime security,’’ he said.
The CNS urged African maritime stakeholders to reminisce on the imperatives of improving on attainments and achievements, adding that collective efforts should go beyond the rhetoric of commerce to modalities for integrating extant Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of defence, Aliyu Ismaila noted the necessity to step up surveillance activities along the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) to allow safe movement of goods, services and passengers in the entire region.
He urged member nations to cooperate and collaborate in intelligence sharing for better protection of maritime resources, adding that no nation can do it alone.
For Nigeria, Ismaila maintained that the need to cooperate and share maritime intelligence was not contestable, giving the nation’s reliance on the maritime sector for its resources.
He decried the general lack of enthusiasm among member nations to develop and facilitate information sharing through naval systems and surveillance infrastructure, noting that it has limited the capacity for collaboration among maritime stakeholders.
‘‘This state of affairs has created a capability gap in nations’ ability to properly monitor and safeguard the sea areas on the continent. Because the hugh seas are our common heritage, no agency or nation has the capability or capacity to achieve unilateral Maritime Domain Awareness.
‘‘This is moreso, as maritime criminals are highly mobile, thus making crime itself very fluid and non-territorial,’’ he said.
