NIMASA Assures International Shipping Community of Security in Nigeria

By Eromosele Abiodun

In a bid to woo shipping companies to Nigeria and increase revenue for the federal government, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has assured the international shipping community and stakeholders of the country’s determination to eliminate piracy and criminality within her territorial waters.

Peterside stated this while addressing multilateral and development agencies on the side lines of the on-going IMO/MOWCA sponsored integrated sub-regional coast Guard function network in Brussels, Belgium.

Also, he noted that Nigeria is working with both local and international counter piracy partners to eliminate criminality on her waterways.

According to Peterside, “We have a close working relationship with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) in order to foster an integrated approach to dealing with the menace. We have also increased surveillance and have deployed world class maritime domain awareness assets in conjunction with the Nigeria Navy and the Nigeria Ports Authority to monitor our maritime environment.”

The NIMASA boss said that in addition, the country has deployed Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force as well as other naval assets to patrol and monitor the country’s waterways.

He observed that as a signatory to all IMO instruments and regulations relating to maritime security, Nigeria is committed to their compliance in order to eliminate piracy and criminality on the high seas.

Peterside noted that Nigeria was mindful of the serious risk posed by piracy and maritime crimes to life, navigational safety and the environment saying this is why NIMASA is strengthening the Regional Rescue Coordination Centre located in the country as well as enhance information sharing activities.

While responding to questions on rising cases of militancy in the Niger Delta region of the country, Peterside said Nigeria is adopting a multifaceted approach to deal with the challenge and assured the international shipping community that it is being tackled.

He urged the maritime community to draw a distinction between criminality, piracy and militancy reiterating that Nigeria is safe for shipping and other commercial activities in the maritime sector.

The NIMASA DG appealed to international development agencies to work with Nigeria in resolving maritime security challenges in the country because of its strategic position to the overall maritime development in the continent given the size of her economy, population and geographical location.