Gulf of Guinea Security: Gov Udom donates 2 gunboats to Nigerian Navy… as stakeholders seek collaboration to combat sea piracy
Gov.
Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, on Tuesday at the Naval Dockyard in Lagos, donated
two gunboats to the Nigerian Navy to boost its anti- piracy operations.
Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, on Tuesday at the Naval Dockyard in Lagos, donated
two gunboats to the Nigerian Navy to boost its anti- piracy operations.
The
governor made the donation at an international maritime security conference themed
‘Enhancing Collaboration for Effective Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea’
as part of activities marking the 60th anniversary celebration of
the Nigerian Navy.
governor made the donation at an international maritime security conference themed
‘Enhancing Collaboration for Effective Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea’
as part of activities marking the 60th anniversary celebration of
the Nigerian Navy.
The
governor, who commended the Nigerian Navy for protecting the maritime domain against
pirate attacks, said his government would continue to give its support to
ensure safety at the Gulf of Guinea.
governor, who commended the Nigerian Navy for protecting the maritime domain against
pirate attacks, said his government would continue to give its support to
ensure safety at the Gulf of Guinea.
“Akwa
Ibom will continue to support and collaborate with the Navy in their quest to
combat maritime crimes and ensure safety on our coastal areas.
Ibom will continue to support and collaborate with the Navy in their quest to
combat maritime crimes and ensure safety on our coastal areas.
“I
should be the one to benefit the more because I occupy the longest coastal area
of 29 km.
should be the one to benefit the more because I occupy the longest coastal area
of 29 km.
“To
back up this collaboration, I will donate two gunboats to the Nigerian Navy, to
enhance its sea patrol to keep the coastal area safe.
back up this collaboration, I will donate two gunboats to the Nigerian Navy, to
enhance its sea patrol to keep the coastal area safe.
Declaring
open the conference, President Muhammadu Buhari called for greater
collaboration among the stakeholders and the Nigerian Navy to fight the
security challenges of the Gulf of Guinea.
open the conference, President Muhammadu Buhari called for greater
collaboration among the stakeholders and the Nigerian Navy to fight the
security challenges of the Gulf of Guinea.
President
Buhari, represented by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammed Dan-Ali, said that
the increased security threat of the Gulf of Guinea now required collaborative
efforts to combat.
Buhari, represented by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammed Dan-Ali, said that
the increased security threat of the Gulf of Guinea now required collaborative
efforts to combat.
He
said, “The Nigerian Navy at 60, and since inception, has applied only the most
optimal policies and strategies in our maritime areas.
said, “The Nigerian Navy at 60, and since inception, has applied only the most
optimal policies and strategies in our maritime areas.
“They
have remained constant in ensuring sea control and arrest of illegal bunkers,
smugglers, pipeline vandals and other illegalities in the nation’s maritime
domain and beyond.
have remained constant in ensuring sea control and arrest of illegal bunkers,
smugglers, pipeline vandals and other illegalities in the nation’s maritime
domain and beyond.
“But
the situation has gone beyond our capability to handle alone. It therefore
calls for collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and other international
maritime stakeholders.
the situation has gone beyond our capability to handle alone. It therefore
calls for collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and other international
maritime stakeholders.
In
his welcome address, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas said
the security of the Gulf of Guinea remained a great concern to all stakeholders
considering how it affects the economic life of the states.
his welcome address, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas said
the security of the Gulf of Guinea remained a great concern to all stakeholders
considering how it affects the economic life of the states.
“What
is most disturbing is that most of the activities in the Gulf of Guinea has
affected the economic life of both the littoral and landlocked states.
is most disturbing is that most of the activities in the Gulf of Guinea has
affected the economic life of both the littoral and landlocked states.
“In
other words, the scourge of illegalities such as piracy, crude oil theft,
pouching, illicit trafficking of humans constitute serious challenges to the
development of the economy.
other words, the scourge of illegalities such as piracy, crude oil theft,
pouching, illicit trafficking of humans constitute serious challenges to the
development of the economy.
Ibas,
therefore, recognising the expanded dynamics of the attacks, called for
effective collaboration to put an end to the scourge.
therefore, recognising the expanded dynamics of the attacks, called for
effective collaboration to put an end to the scourge.
“One
commonality of these maritime states is that they have become trans-national,
and gone beyond the scope and capability of one nation.
commonality of these maritime states is that they have become trans-national,
and gone beyond the scope and capability of one nation.
“It
is therefore envisaged that the conference will provide a veritable platform to
proffer solution and address the myriad of challenges.
is therefore envisaged that the conference will provide a veritable platform to
proffer solution and address the myriad of challenges.
“The
objective of the conference therefore is to receive national understanding and
strategy that will enhance our collective environment,” Ibas said.
objective of the conference therefore is to receive national understanding and
strategy that will enhance our collective environment,” Ibas said.
The
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs
Idiat Adebule underscored the importance of the
international waterways to the development and growth of commerce.
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs
Idiat Adebule underscored the importance of the
international waterways to the development and growth of commerce.
He
noted that the activities of sea pirates between 2003 and 2011 accounted for 30
per cent attacks along the sub-region, affecting trade activities and
commercial shipping.
noted that the activities of sea pirates between 2003 and 2011 accounted for 30
per cent attacks along the sub-region, affecting trade activities and
commercial shipping.
He
therefore called for collaboration among stakeholders to secure the maritime
domain for the greater economic benefits of nations within the region.
therefore called for collaboration among stakeholders to secure the maritime
domain for the greater economic benefits of nations within the region.
In
his remark, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani, said deliberating
on maritime security issues of the Gulf of Guinea required developing new
strategies and greater collaboration among all stakeholders.
his remark, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani, said deliberating
on maritime security issues of the Gulf of Guinea required developing new
strategies and greater collaboration among all stakeholders.
