…Stresses Importance Of Synergy As Solution
Harboursandport.com: Kano - The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has put the economic cost of insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea at $793.7 million.
The NIMASA boss also disclosed that synergy between
government agencies is key to solving the problem of maritime crimes in Nigeria
and the Gulf of Guinea.
Jamoh made this known in a paper presentation titled,
“Enhancing Collaboration amongst Stakeholders for Improved Maritime Security in
Nigeria,” at the recently held Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Conference
(CONSAC) in Kano State.
Drawing from the terrorist attacks of 9-11 on American soil
and the report of the 9-11 Commission indicting security agencies for failing
to share real-time intelligence, Jamoh urged Nigerian stakeholders to “learn to
share their toys” in a bid to close the gaps and tighten the security ring
around the nation’s maritime space against piracy and other maritime crimes.
The NIMASA Director-General observed that despite the
rich potential of the maritime sector in the areas of job creation and revenue
generation, and its vital role in facilitating more than 90 per cent of the world
trade through shipping, the sector was undermined by maritime insecurity.
He stated, “The economic cost of maritime insecurity is
very pronounced for Nigeria compared to other countries. While the economic
cost of piracy activity in Asia was estimated at $4.5 million (as of 2016), the
estimated economic cost of maritime insecurity in the GoG was about $793.7
million.”
The NIMASA DG identified sources through which insecurity
led to a loss of revenue in the maritime sector as ransom payment, insurance
premiums, re-routing ships, security equipment, losses to oil and fishing
industry, and cost of security escort.
A statement signed by the Assistant
Director, Public Relations of NIMASA, Osagie Edward noted that Jamoh said, “Studies have identified the
following factors as the drivers of maritime insecurity in the region. They
include an increase in ship traffic as a result of globalisation; the
debilitating leadership of many of the states in the region; the proliferation
of small arms; poor monitoring and control of the oceans; and
criminality, which has been further aggravated by visible youth unemployment.
“High level of poverty and economic hardship were also
listed as causative factors.
"The impacts of these challenges are far-reaching
and requires that all concerned should collaborate to tackle this menace.”
Drawing examples from other climes, like the Regional
Cooperation Agreement on combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in
Asia (ReCAAP), the NIMASA boss stressed how stakeholder collaboration had been
used to tackle maritime insecurity.
He identified the five clusters of Nigerian maritime
collaboration as the Armed Forces/National Security Group (Army, Navy, Air
Force, etc); Non-Military Services (Customs, Police, Immigration, NDLEA etc);
Agencies with Incidental Functions (NAFDAC, NNPC, DPR, etc); Regulatory
Agencies (NIMASA, NESREA, NOSDRA, NIWA etc); and the Disaster Management
Agencies (NEMA).
Dr. Jamoh listed some collaborative efforts by NIMASA to
address maritime insecurity to include the implementation of the Deep Blue
project; the enactment of the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences
(SPOMO) Act 2019; community engagements; strengthening of the Navies of the
Gulf of Guinea (GoG) region; collaboration with CEOs of Maritime Industry
Organisations, known as the Joint Maritime Industry Working Group
(JMIWG); engagements with security forces (Nigerian Navy, Army, Airforce,
Police, Customs, Immigration); and the Gulf of Guinea-Maritime Collaboration
Forum/Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (GoG-MCF/SHADE).
He further stated that NIMASA was collaborating with the
International Maritime Organisation (IMO), INTERPOL, regional organisations,
shipping operators, as well as private security companies, submarine cable
operators, and seafarers’ organisations.
Dr. Jamoh called for the deployment of more resources for
technical assistance to facilitate capacity building and expansion of
automation systems for monitoring the maritime sector. He said this would
enhance the country’s capacity for cooperation against trans-national maritime
crime and terrorism with the potentials to adopt a more participatory approach to
maritime security.
“Working together is, therefore, a most vital approach to
defend our seas, enhance maritime security, promote trade, protect the environment,
and guarantee the quality of life of our people,” Dr. Jamoh stated.
He was also honoured at the event by the Chief of the Naval
Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, for ensuring civil-military cohesion.
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