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The
Federal Government on Tuesday lamented that in spite of the numerous
achievements in the maritime industry, the industry in Nigeria and globally has
come under siege of criminal elements who still engage in acts of piracy, sea
robbery, arms proliferation, crude oil theft, terrorism, migration, illegal and
unregulated fishing in the Gulf of Guinea and within Nigeria’s territorial
waters.
Federal Government on Tuesday lamented that in spite of the numerous
achievements in the maritime industry, the industry in Nigeria and globally has
come under siege of criminal elements who still engage in acts of piracy, sea
robbery, arms proliferation, crude oil theft, terrorism, migration, illegal and
unregulated fishing in the Gulf of Guinea and within Nigeria’s territorial
waters.
Speaking during
the 2018 World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos, the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, stated
that the gains recorded via dredging, amnesty and port concession exercises in
Nigeria nosedived due to this unfortunate scenario, thus compelling some
foreign shipping companies to request for Government’s approval to enter
Nigeria’s territorial waters with armed security personnel onboard.
the 2018 World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos, the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, stated
that the gains recorded via dredging, amnesty and port concession exercises in
Nigeria nosedived due to this unfortunate scenario, thus compelling some
foreign shipping companies to request for Government’s approval to enter
Nigeria’s territorial waters with armed security personnel onboard.
The SGF
who was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Power and Housing,
Mustapha Baba Shehuri explained that:
who was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Power and Housing,
Mustapha Baba Shehuri explained that:
“Government’s
policy to concession port facilities and services to private interests has had
a profound effect on job creation and opportunities in the maritime industry
from warehousing, cargo handling delivery and documentation among others.
policy to concession port facilities and services to private interests has had
a profound effect on job creation and opportunities in the maritime industry
from warehousing, cargo handling delivery and documentation among others.
“It was
reported that within six years of the port concession, private operators had
employed over 48,000 Nigerians against a little over 14,000 before the policy
shift. These are, of course, notable achievements which we need to consolidate
further.
reported that within six years of the port concession, private operators had
employed over 48,000 Nigerians against a little over 14,000 before the policy
shift. These are, of course, notable achievements which we need to consolidate
further.
“Thankfully,
the government is not taking the issue of safety and security in the Maritime
sector lightly. Like the proverbial goose that lays the golden egg, the
maritime industry must be protected to attract foreign investors and also
preserve Nigeria‘s territorial integrity. Permit me to commend the Fedora!
Ministry of Transportation for confronting the matter with the seriousness it
deserves.
the government is not taking the issue of safety and security in the Maritime
sector lightly. Like the proverbial goose that lays the golden egg, the
maritime industry must be protected to attract foreign investors and also
preserve Nigeria‘s territorial integrity. Permit me to commend the Fedora!
Ministry of Transportation for confronting the matter with the seriousness it
deserves.
“I am
aware that a contract has been awarded for the Integrated National Security and
Water Protection Infrastructure in Nigeria under the Deep Blue Project. This
project entails the provision of security infrastructure and the training of
personnel for the protection of Nigeria’s maritime domain. it is envisaged that
this project will comprehensively address the emerging cases of insecurity in
the maritime industry and restore investors confidence.”
aware that a contract has been awarded for the Integrated National Security and
Water Protection Infrastructure in Nigeria under the Deep Blue Project. This
project entails the provision of security infrastructure and the training of
personnel for the protection of Nigeria’s maritime domain. it is envisaged that
this project will comprehensively address the emerging cases of insecurity in
the maritime industry and restore investors confidence.”
In his
own presentation, the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi stated
that concerted efforts were being made to strengthen the institutional
capabilities of agencies responsible for providing maritime security in
Nigeria’s maritime domain and around the Gulf of Guinea region.
own presentation, the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi stated
that concerted efforts were being made to strengthen the institutional
capabilities of agencies responsible for providing maritime security in
Nigeria’s maritime domain and around the Gulf of Guinea region.
“Statistics
show a total freight cost estimate of between $5 billion and $6 billion
annually, while the maritime component of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is
worth an estimated $8 billion alongside seaborne transportation, oceanic extraction resource exploitation and export processing zones.
show a total freight cost estimate of between $5 billion and $6 billion
annually, while the maritime component of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is
worth an estimated $8 billion alongside seaborne transportation, oceanic extraction resource exploitation and export processing zones.
“It is
worthy to note that for effective contribution of shipping activities to the
development of Nigeria’s economy, there is urgent need to curb and combat these
illegal maritime activities in our waters as these crimes continue to
constitute impediments to economic development. “As long as these crimes
continue to pose danger to the Gulf of Guinea and our maritime domain, the
benefits of the theme of this year’s World Maritime Day celebration will
continue to be elusive.
worthy to note that for effective contribution of shipping activities to the
development of Nigeria’s economy, there is urgent need to curb and combat these
illegal maritime activities in our waters as these crimes continue to
constitute impediments to economic development. “As long as these crimes
continue to pose danger to the Gulf of Guinea and our maritime domain, the
benefits of the theme of this year’s World Maritime Day celebration will
continue to be elusive.
“The
Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the procurement of new
security architecture for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency (NIMASA), which involves the acquisition of new platforms and other
logistics required to enable the agency to perform its statutory functions of
securing the Nigerian waters in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy.
Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the procurement of new
security architecture for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency (NIMASA), which involves the acquisition of new platforms and other
logistics required to enable the agency to perform its statutory functions of
securing the Nigerian waters in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy.
“The
importance of ensuring a safe maritime domain cannot be overemphasized. A safe,
secure and efficient shipping industry will surely revitalize and diversify the
economy of Nigeria away from crude oil exploration to a maritime hub.
Therefore, the promotion of sustainable shipping and sustainable maritime
development as expressed in the theme of this year’s celebration will stimulate
the development of new technologies and innovation, agile maritime security
platforms and the development of the maritime infrastructure,” Amaechi said.
importance of ensuring a safe maritime domain cannot be overemphasized. A safe,
secure and efficient shipping industry will surely revitalize and diversify the
economy of Nigeria away from crude oil exploration to a maritime hub.
Therefore, the promotion of sustainable shipping and sustainable maritime
development as expressed in the theme of this year’s celebration will stimulate
the development of new technologies and innovation, agile maritime security
platforms and the development of the maritime infrastructure,” Amaechi said.
