The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Navy and other stakeholders have x-rayed Maritime Domain Awareness in the country.
They gave their submissions at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Conference Hall in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.
The Guest Speaker, Rear Admiral Francis Akpan who spoke on the theme : Maritime Domain Awareness for Africa’s Maritime Security Architecture, said Maritime security represented one of a number of peace and security related policy fields that could enhance effective trade and commerce in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Unauthorised fishing
Mr Akpan also said the threats to maritime security are Irregular and unauthorized fishing, resource theft, trafficking of drugs, narcotics, human beings, money laundering, illicit financial activities, and unemployment.
According to him, the surge in piracy from the year 2000 revealed how African maritime states have been unable to prevent piracy and other maritime crimes.
He, therefore, beseeched African countries to come together to combat these issues.
Rear admiral Akpan also said the threats to maritime security are Irregular and unauthorized fishing, resource theft, trafficking of drugs, narcotics, human beings, money laundering, illicit financial activities, and unemployment.
“The surge in piracy from the year 2000 revealed how African maritime states have been unable to prevent piracy and other maritime crimes. Let me also point out the need to continue to develop capacity, taking seriously the issue of environmental degradation into consideration.
He said Nigeria should take the matters of maritime domain awareness very seriously.
Also speaking, the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who stated that the domain involves territorial waters of the maritime sector such as people, infrastructure, explaining that everyone must accept the vulnerability and openness of the coastal line.
He further explained that Nigeria used to experience attacks on its coastal lines but it became history with the efforts of the Naval Force.
Dr Jamoh, therefore, urged the sister agencies on collaboration regarding information sharing and intelligence gathering.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo disclosed that the maritime architecture is the better pathway to achieving the desired economy.
He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to make investment in institutions that will strengthen the maritime architecture, stating that the country has a long coastal line it needs to monitor.
Prince Adewole while identifying five areas where maritime security is being threatened, maintained that the Navy is an important platform to conquer the mysteries.
He said that the country’s revenue could be tripled if its inland waterways were properly managed.
The Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae gave assurance that the country’s maritime domain would be conquered with NIMASA’s effective policy regulations.
He expressed the Institute’s readiness to be part of the contributors to the world’s bilateral relations.
The DG stated that the Institute now has a formidable Sports Diplomacy Desk for, adding that Science diplomacy will come into being soon.
The event which drew participants from different sectors hadin attendance maritime experts, Nigerian Navy, Civil Society groups among other dignitaries.
Lateefah Ibrahim
