The United States Consul General in Lagos, HE William Stevens, has applauded the Nigerian Navy over reduced piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea(GoG).
Stevens gave the commendation on Thursday while accompanying the Ship’s Company of the US Coast Guard, Cutter MOHAWK, on a courtesy call on the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral YB Wambai, at the Command’s Headquarters Office in Apapa Lagos.
He told newsmen that the visit furthers bilateral relations between both countries as they work in sustaining the fight against piracy both in Nigeria waters and in the Gulf of Guinea.
Stevens said that the Nigerian Navy had improved its capacity, considering its efforts that culminated in the latest results of zero piracy attacks achieved in several months now.
His words:” I am here accompanying my colleagues from the US Coast Guard – MOHAWK, as we come to partner with Nigerian colleagues in combating piracy here in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
“We have been long-term partners with the Nigerian Navy, and we are so proud of the Navy for the great work that they have done to reduce piracy last year, with no piracy this year, and down by 90 per cent , with their colleagues across the Gulf of Guinea.
“It is an incredible achievement and I think a mark of increasing capacity has been made here.”
In his response, Admiral Wambai appreciated the visiting Consul General and the ship’s company for recognising the navy’s capability and competence as seamen.
He said it was evident from their action of coming for exercise as well as exchange of personnel, just as they have also been committed in ensuring that the Gulf of Guinea is kept safe.
“You have gone beyond giving us vessels, now you are coming to exercise and trying to raise the bar by exchange of personnel. That means you have accepted us and you have recognised our capability and our competence as seamen, if not you would have liked to be teaching us.”
“You say we can come on board your vessel and you can come on board ours; that means a kind of acknowledgement, and to that we say thank you. We have been waiting for such a time that the MoU will be signed and then we will have this kind of exchanges,” he said.
Speaking further, Admiral Wambai acknowledged the joint efforts of other Gulf of Guinea States and international partners in the fight against piracy, to keep the seas open and safe for international trade to blossom.
He also disclosed that in maintaining the collaborative efforts “You have seen the US Coast Guard Cutter MOHAWK here today, next week, there is a ship coming from India. In October, another ship will be coming from the UK.
“So, we continue to have this series of collaborative efforts of international partners working together with us to ensure that the synergy in combating this scourge; no one country can do it alone, it has to be collaborative.”
