Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has restated the need for enhanced
stakeholder collaboration in tackling maritime security challenges in
Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. Dr. Jamoh made this call in a paper
presentation titled, “Enhancing Collaboration amongst Stakeholders for
Improved Maritime Security in Nigeria,” at the recently held Chief of
the Naval Staff Annual Conference (CONSAC) in Kano State.
The NIMASA Director General was also honoured at the event by Chief of
the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, for ensuring civil
military cohesion.
Drawing from terrorist attacks of 9-11 on American soil and the report
of the 9-11 Commission indicting security agencies for failing to share
real-time intelligence, Dr. Jamoh urged Nigerian stakeholders to “learn
to share their toys” in a bid to close the gaps and tighten the security
ring around the nation’s maritime space against piracy and other
maritime crimes.
The NIMASA Director General observed that despite the rich potential of
the maritime sector in the areas of job creation and revenue generation,
and its vital role in facilitating more than 90 per cent of world trade
through shipping, the sector was undermined by maritime insecurity.
He stated, “The economic cost of maritime insecurity is very pronounced
for Nigeria compared to other countries. While the economic cost of
piracy activity in Asia was estimated at $4.5 million (as of 2016), the
estimated economic cost of maritime insecurity in the GoG was about
$793.7 million.”
The NIMASA DG identified sources through which insecurity led to loss of
revenue in the maritime sector as ransom payment, insurance premiums,
re-routing ships, security equipment, losses to oil and fishing
industry, and cost of security escort.
Dr. Jamoh said, “Studies have identified the following factors as the
drivers of maritime insecurity in the region. They include an increase
in ship traffic as a result of globalizsation; the debilitating
leadership of many of the states in the region; the proliferation of
small arms; poor monitoring and control of the oceans; and criminality,
which have been further aggravated by visible youth unemployment.
“High level of poverty, and economic hardship were also listed as
causative factors.
“The impacts of these challenges are far-reaching and requires that all
concerned should collaborate to tackle this menace.”
Drawing examples from other climes, like the Regional Cooperation
Agreement on combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia
(ReCAAP), the NIMASA boss stressed how stakeholder collaboration had
been used to tackle maritime insecurity.
He identified the five clusters of Nigerian maritime collaboration as
the Armed Forces/National Security Group (Army, Navy, Air Force, etc);
Non-Military Services (Customs, Police, Immigrations, NDLEA etc);
Agencies with Incidental Functions (NAFDAC, NNPC, DPR, etc); Regulatory
Agencies (NIMASA, NESREA, NOSDRA, NIWA etc); and the Disaster Management
Agencies (NEMA).
Dr. Jamoh listed some collaborative efforts by NIMASA to address
maritime insecurity to include the implementation of the Deep Blue
project; the enactment of the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime
Offences (SPOMO) Act 2019; community engagements; strengthening of the
Navies of the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) region; collaboration with CEOs of
Maritime Industry Organisations, known as the Joint Maritime Industry
Working Group (JMIWG); engagements with security forces (Nigerian Navy,
Army, Airforce, Police, Customs, Immigration); and the Gulf of
Guinea-Maritime Collaboration Forum/Shared Awareness and Deconfliction
(GoG-MCF/SHADE).
He further stated that NIMASA was collaborating with the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO), INTERPOL, regional organisations, shipping
operators, as well as private security companies, submarine cable
operators, and seafarers’ organisations.
Dr. Jamoh called for the deployment of more resources for technical
assistance to facilitate capacity building and expansion of automation
systems for monitoring the maritime sector. He said this would enhance
the country’s capacity for cooperation against trans-national maritime
crime and terrorism with potentials to adopt a more participatory
approach to maritime security.
“Working together is, therefore, a most vital approach to defend our
seas, enhance maritime security, promote trade, protect the environment,
and guarantee the quality of life of our people,” Dr. Jamoh stated.