In line with the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said it would acquire more strategic vessels and assets to strengthen maritime security.
Issuing the statement in Lagos on Saturday. the Head, Corporate Communications of the agency, Isichei Osamgbi, stated that the move is also in line with the total spectrum of maritime security strategy.
As part of plans to beef off security at Nigerian waters, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, also announced the establishment of a Command and Control Centre as part of the maritime security strategic initiative.
“The four components of the initiative are situational awareness, response capability, law enforcement and local partnerships and regional cooperation; which are the fulcrum upon which tackling maritime crime will be built on,” he disclosed.
According to him, the implementation of NIMASA’s maritime strategy, in collaboration with the agency’s partners, was a to rein in piracy and maritime crime within Nigerian territorial waters.
He added that NIMASA would continue to collaborate with the military, especially the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, among other partners, to make Nigerian waterways safe and secure.
“We are not unmindful of the peculiar environment of Niger Delta which poses its own challenge in tackling maritime crime, especially kidnapping of crew and illegal bunkering that leads to pollution.
“We will continue to work with the Nigerian Navy and regional organisations to strengthen our regional approach to tackling maritime crime,” he noted.
