NIMASA seeks support for EU’s € 20m investment in maritime security

The resolve by the European Union (EU) to invest over 20 million euros on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea has been commended by the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

Receiving a delegation of EU consultants led by Chris Hedley in his office in Lagos, Peterside said such step should be commended, adding that other partners should collaborate with the agency and Nigeria to eradicate the piracy and other criminal activities in the Gulf of Guinea.

Peterside said: “More than ever, Nigeria is better positioned to take advantage of strategic partnerships to make the country the hub of maritime activities in West and Central Africa”.

The NIMASA DG, who observed that the Gulf of Guinea is very strategic to world trade, also assured the delegation of the agency’s determination to tackle the menace of crime at sea, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

A statement issued by NIMASA’s head of media, Hajia Lami Tumaka quoted Hedley as saying that the EU planned to use the funds in developing and strengthening legislations, building capacity in maritime security and developing the necessary Information Technology (IT) for member nations, with a view to eradicating piracy and other related crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

Meanwhile, NIMASA has announced plans to partner relevant stakeholders as part of measures to expedite action on the passage of the anti-piracy and other related crimes at sea into law.

Speaking at a four-day workshop organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the United States government, Peterside, explained that the bill is necessary to provide the requisite framework for the fight, prosecution and punishment of piracy and related maritime crimes in Nigeria.

Peterside assured participants and maritime stakeholders that the agency would collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Federal Ministry of Justice and all relevant stakeholders to ensure early conclusion of work on the draft bill and ultimate transmission to the National Assembly for enactment.