The Inspector of Police, Segun Falemara,third left; The British Navy SO2 Maritime, Cdr. Daniel Waskett; The Chair, ZOE Maritime Resources Ltd, Mrs Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore; Amb. Florentina, Ukonga, immediate Past Executive Secretary, Gulf of Guinea Commission; Director, Legal, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Chinedu Mbam; Commodore Igbani Agwu, during the 9th Edition of Lagos International Maritime Week 2024 with the Theme” Navigating the Future of Africa’s Marine and Blue Economy -Safety First on Tuesday in Lagos.
The British Navy SO2 Maritime, Cdr. Daniel Waskett, on Tuesday said that effective collaboration on maritime safety and security would enhance the development of blue economy in the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
Waskett made this known during a round table discussion at the 9th Edition of the Lagos International Maritime Week 2024.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the maritime week is ‘Navigating the Future of Africa’s Marine and Blue Economy’.
He said that the strategy of the Government of United Kingdom was to establish long term and mutually-beneficial partnerships with African nations to build and share interests for a safer and healthier future for all.
“Tensions in Europe are extremely high which demands constant protection of home waters and support to NATO.
“Meanwhile the Royal Navy is committed to maintaining a presence in the Indo-Pacific region, assisting island nations in protecting their territorial waters and resources.
“Yet the GOG is an integral part of international maritime security and success here brings dividends not just to African partners but worldwide.
“Thus collaboration on the security of the GOG remains a fundamental part of UK’s strategy,” Waskett said.
He said that the UK supported multilateral fora on maritime security.
This include: ECOWAS, the African Union, the Gulf of Guinea Commission and the Yaounde Architecture,” he said.
Waskett said that the support included the regular provision of funding, embedded liaison officers and support to exercises.
He said that UK was keen in coordinating better with other partners in the region to harmonise training.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Nigerian Navy, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, said that Nigeria had worked to prevent the smuggling of hazardous materials and weapons of mass destruction into the Gulf of Guinea.
Ogalla who was represented by Commodore Igbani Agwu, said the Navy had taken critical steps toward ensuring that the blue economy was not compromised by illicit activities that could have devastating environmental and security consequences.
He said that the Nigerian Government remained committed to fostering safety and security across its maritime domain.
“Through the enactment of enabling laws, capacity-building initiatives and collaboration with national and international partners.
“We are steadily navigating the future of our blue economy. The Nigerian Blue Economy Strategic Roadmap seeks to position the country as a leader in maritime transport, offshore energy, fisheries and tourism, all of which depend on a secure and safe marine environment,” he said.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Maritime Police Command, Rhoda Olofu, said that the command was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the security and safety of maritime domain.
She said the maritime space was waterways that were crucial to Nigeria’s economy and Africa’s broader maritime sector.
Olofu who was represented by Insp Segun Falemara, said that the Gulf of Guinea was a region enriched in resources and a key artery for global maritime trade, saying that it also faced persistent challenges in security.
She said that the Nigeria Police, through its Maritime Command and the Marine Police, had played a pivotal role in securing our maritime domain.
“Our mandate extends beyond merely patrolling the waterways.
“We work hand in hand with other national and international agencies to protect vital assets, combat piracy and ensure that our marine environment remains safe and secure for all stakeholders.
“We routinely collaborate with the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other critical stakeholders in joint operations aimed at reducing maritime crime.
“The Marine Police deploy advanced surveillance techniques, leveraging both human intelligence and technological solutions, to monitor criminal activities along our waterways.
“Enabling laws such as `The Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act, 2019’. This landmark legislation has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s legal framework for tackling piracy and other maritime crimes.
“Through regional and international partnerships, we ensure our officers are well-trained to address emerging maritime threats and security challenges,” Olofu said.
She said that the security of the GOG required coordinated efforts from all littoral states and international partners.
Olofu further explained that Nigeria had been at the forefront of fostering regional collaboration to ensure a safer maritime environment.
An Expert from 2-Horses Ventures Ltd., Mrs Rebecca Oladipo, said they were concerned about the safety and security of vessels and the crew members.
Oladipo said they collaborated with the Nigerian Navy to secure the waterways.
“In 2019 we had 26 cases of piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea. In 2020, we had the highest piracy attacks which were 130.
“In 2021, we had 45 cases; 2022 only three cases which was due to initiatives put in place to mitigate the effect with sea patrol boats while we received seven cases in 2023 and 2024 so far.
“The first piracy attack in 2024 happened in the first quarter when five crew members were kidnapped and later released. We had another attack in June when two crews were kidnapped and we have not got information whether they have been released or not,” Oladipo said.
NAN reports that the moderator of the round table discussion was the Immediate Past Executive Secretary of Gulf of Guinea Commission, Amb. Florentina Ukonga.