Navy seeks synergy with NIMASA, others to secure maritime domain

• Advocates investment in crew preparedness
The Nigerian Navy has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other stakeholders in the maritime industry to work together to keep the country’s waters safe from foreign invasion.

The Director of Records, Returns and Analysis, Nigerian Navy Headquarters, Abuja, Rear Admiral Oluwole Fadeyi, made the call at the just-concluded Presidential Fleet Review with the theme, ‘Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity’.

He lamented the weak punitive measures given to foreign ships that violate security protocols on the nation’s waters.

He said while the Nigerian Navy has been keeping the waters safe by making arrests, prosecuting agencies make it easy for the arrested ship by slamming them with N500, 000 fine, which they pay and after which they return illegalities.

“We have vessels operating within our waters that commit all kinds of crimes. There was an instance of a vessel that turned off its Automatic identification systems (AIS) and conducted its activities and sailed south. We tried as much as possible to track it, the next time her AIS came up. It was in a neighbouring country.

“The ship came back to our waters and we arrested her. The evidence we had against her was AIS infraction. We handed her over to NIMASA. We noticed that ships turn off their AIS because they know the fine for AIS infractions can easily be paid off in Nigeria.

“They are asked to pay a fine of N500, 000 and they easily pay it off. We have asked NIMASA to increase the fine as a form of deterrence because these ships will continue to sail on our sea to do their illegalities,” he lamented.

He said the Nigerian Navy is on patrol to arrest illegality on the nation’s waters, noting that if other maritime stakeholders do not come up with stringent measures to ensure deterrence, the nation will continue to have the same problem of vessels coming from other countries and committing illegalities.

“If prosecuting agencies don’t ensure punitive measures for committing maritime crimes are strengthened enough, we will continue to go round in a circle. It is time for NIMASA, NNPC and other agencies to step up and help the Nigerian Navy achieve our responsibility of keeping the nation’s maritime domain safe,” he said.

Meanwhile, Retired Rear Admiral James Akinwale, called for investment in crew preparedness, which includes training facilities, equipment and personnel that are essential for maintaining fleet readiness.

He said the government must prioritise allocating resources to support crew preparedness with modernised training infrastructure and provision of continuous professional development opportunities.

“A highly trained and skilled crew can effectively and efficiently create complex naval assets ranging from aircraft carriers, frigates and other smaller vessels. Recognising the importance of crew preparedness and investing in it will ensure that the naval forces remain at the forefront of technological advancement, capable of projecting power and protecting national interest by contributing to national prosperity.

“Crew preparedness safeguards maritime trade and facilitates economic reforms and growth,” he said.

Flag Officer Commanding Naval Doctrine Command, Rear Admiral Akinga Ayafa, decried inadequate capacity building for personnel, while advocating collaboration with the British Military Advisory and Training team for capacity building of personnel.

He also advocated the timely release of funds to facilitate the prompt execution of exercises and other training activities for each naval doctrine command across the country, as well as the appointment and drafting of trained personnel.