President Muhammadu Buhari has given approval for an Israeli firm to be contracted to train the Nigerian security agencies on maritime safety and security.
The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who disclosed this while delivering a keynote address to mark the 2017 World Maritime Day with the theme: Connecting Ships, Ports and People also said that part of the contract for the firm was to procure equipment for use to secure the nation’s waterways by security agencies.
Amaechi hinted that the contract which is being executed through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will last for three years after which after which the security agencies would take over.
According to him,”One of the things that have come heavily in the maritime sector is security and you know that we have done something about it. We have contracted an Israeli firm who is going to train our security men and buy equipment and they will dominate the waterways for three years. In that three years, they will train our people to take over when they finish and I am sure in that three years, once they launch because they are yet to launch because they are buying the equipment, when you see the equipment on the water, you know you are secured.
“The President has kindly approved that and that is being done through NIMASA and we hope that that three years, they will train our Navy, the Army, the police so that we can stop escorting boats.
“Currently, Maersk told me they pay between $15 million and $18 million per year to those who escort boats or escort goods from one point to the other, we should be able to eliminate that idea so that you can freely do your business on the water and come back peacefully without anybody harassing you.
“The Israelis have assured us that after the training of our soldiers and our naval personnel, that would not happen, if it happens, they should be held accountable. That’s one of the achievements I think we have made”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Sadiu Zakari noted that the theme of this year’s celebration was aptly chosen by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to provide an opportunity to focus on many diverse actors involved in the shipping and logistics areas.
Represented by Danjuma Dauda, Zakari added that theme also aimed to build on the World Maritime Day theme for 2016,”Shipping: Indispensable to the World”, by focusing on helping IMO member states to develop and implement maritime strategies to invest in a joined-up, inter agency approach that addresses the whole range of issues including the facilitation of maritime transport, increasing efficiency, navigation safety, protection of the maritime environment and maritime security.
“The maritime sector, which includes shipping, ports and people that operate them can and should play a significant role in helping member states to create conditions for increased employment, prosperity and stability through promoting trade by sea, enhancing the port and maritime sector as wealth creators both on land and through developing a sustainable blue economy at sea”, he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima harped on the imperative for all the stakeholders in the maritime sector to work harmonious and to create a platform that would enhance the industry so as to make it an alternative source of revenue for the country.
While noting that the challenges of the sector were too numerous to mention, Yerima however decried the none consultation with the maritime stakeholders in policy formulation as it affects the sector adding that this had really brought a decline in activities in the sector.
“So, there is the need for improvement in this regard and the National Assembly, the Executive and other stakeholders in the industry will also continue to work together for the entire goals and objectives to be realized.
“It is my candid opinion that for revitalization to take place in the maritime sector, there is an urgent need for collaboration between the relevant agencies and the private sector in policy formulation and implementation in order to rejig the sector and that should give course to an inter agency collaboration among other multidimensional approaches in order to be able to tackle the challenges facing the industry.
“The need for the Nigerian maritime agencies to partner with other international maritime organizations for a safer and quality international waters will also not be overemphasized”, he submitted.
He declared that the senate committee on marine transport was willing to welcome any plan that required legislation in improving the maritime industry in Nigeria and the world at large.
He continued,” Let me use this opportunity to inform the gathering that the 8th senate has so far passed the following maritime bills; the Nigerian Ports and Harbours Bill 2017, the National Inland Waterways Bill and before us is the National Transport Commission Bill which has passed the 3rd reading”.
Corroborating the views of Senator Yerima, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Education and Administration, Hon. Umar Bago stressed the need for the legislature and the executive, the operators and the regulators as well as other stakeholders in the industry to collaborate.
“The essence of this gathering today is to celebrate the World Maritime Day, we cannot be celebrating this day if we cannot decide to work together. We as a parliament, we are open to making sure that this industry thrives”, he said.
On his part, the Chief of Naval Staff, represented by Rear Admiral Niyi Oshinowo said that the Nigerian Navy was ready in response and in cognizance of its responsibility to support all efforts particularly those that bordered on safety and security of the nation’s maritime domain so as to ensure that the various commercial and other business activities including explorations and exploitations were fully protected.
He continued,”We have enjoyed significant collaborations and cooperation of all other agencies and we wish to state that this is what we still continue to look forward to enjoy as we stand ready to discharge our statutory role of improving the safe and secure use of our maritime space”.
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