Lucky Omas
26 June 2018, Sweetcrude, Warri, Delta state — Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside has spoken of efforts by the federal government to improve security on the nation’s waterways.
Peterside who spoke in Warri, Delta state at this year’s Day of Seafarers, said hardware equipment had been acquired by security agencies to enhance maritime security, adding that the agency would continue to collaborate with security agencies to guaranty a secured maritime environment.
“NIMASA has introduced what is called the total spectrum maritime security strategy and we are getting support from the federal executive council and of course from Mr. President. We are doing that from a four-pronged perspective; we are investing in the acquisition of assets, including patrol assets to detect these criminals operating within our waterways, including response vessels and response capacities.
“We are also acquiring assets to carry out maritime aerial patrols and of course, we are also investing in intelligence. Our satellite forwarding system has come on board again, we are working closely with the Nigerian Navy, Falcon Eye Surveillance System. We are investing in the acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles to man the aerial space.
“We are also looking at the legal framework to fight piracy, including a push for the early passage of the Anti-piracy bill. We are working with our regional partners and we are working closely with the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, the Marine Police and apart from working closely with them, we are also supporting them.
“You are aware that the federal executive council approved the Integrated Waterway Surveillance System and Mr. President is looking at how best we can implement the Integrated Waterway Surveillance System so that we will halt the current insecurity, not just in the Niger Delta, but within our territorial waters. You can be sure that we are focused on it. It’s an issue of concern, but it’s also getting deserved attention,” he said.