Venerable Mike Gbadebo (Mission to seafarers)
The recent injection of the Nigeria Air Force into the synergy shows that the government is willing to eradicate piracy and sea robbery from our waters. Though there are still cases of attacks in our domain, but it is a gradual thing and I believe the agencies will perform better than expected soon as far as the platforms are in place.
Simeon Nwonu (PRO NAGAFF)
Venerable Mike Gbadebo (Mission to seafarers)
The recent injection of the Nigeria Air Force into the synergy shows that the government is willing to eradicate piracy and sea robbery from our waters. Though there are still cases of attacks in our domain, but it is a gradual thing and I believe the agencies will perform better than expected soon as far as the platforms are in place.
Simeon Nwonu (PRO NAGAFF)
I think NIMASA is doing a great job in that aspect, you know the federal government has re-appointed the DG of NIMASA because of his good job. The issue of piracy is international; so to speak, it is also said to be a complex one, the Navy on the other hand is doing their own best in that area to fight against piracy although it is not easy to flush them out, it is a gradual process. But I think there should be a greater synergy between the Navy, NIMASA and some other government related agencies including the NPA. They all should come together as one because piracy is said to be an international business especially on the high sea, they are doing well because if you check most newspapers report in recent time, it has reduced but like I said before it is something that requires an effort by all who are involved in fighting the battle against piracy.
Julius Efokpor ( SEC Gen Merchant Navy)
I think to a large extent, they have been able to curb it, because if there is unity of purpose, you must achieve something. You see the Navy, Air Force and NIMASA are working together to achieve the synergy, with the Air Force in the air, Navy in the sea, and also NIMASA coordinating, a lot of things will change and our sea would be safe.
Engr Alalade Mathew (National President Merchant Navy)
You know as the government are planning on eradicating the issue of piracy, so are others, but I believe this will take some time before we will actualize these goals. To a large extend the synergy is yielding result even though there are reports of attacks on vessels on our waters. On the issue of piracy what I think the federal government should do is to create an enabling environment whereby there will be employment for the youths, and I believe when this is done the issue of piracy will reduce. And again all nations in this region and also central Africa as a whole should come together to make sure they tackle it before it gets out of hands.
Vincent Abulu (Maritime Consultant)
The issue of piracy is something we all should tackle and I am very happy that there is a synergy and it is a welcome development, but NIMASA needs to provide a platform for the agencies and we also need the Navy because when you talk about piracy it is a very bad issue which we all need to tackle before it gets out of hand. NIMASA, on the other hand together with the JTF must be given absolute power to handle any guilty suspect because majority of these sea pirates have backup from government. I guess they are doing their best to a large extent and they have been able to curb the issue of piracy to some extent in our water.
Adu Gbolahan (LASACO Assurance PLC)
I think that with their collaboration, piracy will totally be removed, the DG of NIMASA has been putting more effort to make sure this problem of piracy is tackled and I know with time it will be reduced. Also with the cooperation of the Nigerian Navy, ship owners association and Air Force, piracy will be tackled. There is a lot of piracy going on which NIMASA is not even aware of, thus if they have adequate information coming in from a direct source, I believe that they will respond well to it.
Austin Odili ( Ship operator)
I think for a change, the synergy is a positive one, because we all know it would help us a lot; most especially in our sea. NIMASA is already putting in their best by having patrol vessels, before it was worse than this, but now a lot has changed. Pirates in the region operate a well-funded criminal industry, which includes established supply networks. They are often part of heavily armed and sophisticated criminal enterprises, which increasingly use modern ships to launch their attacks. The Navy before now has been doing their best single-handedly to secure our territorial waters.
Sina Elegbede (Stakeholder)
The synergy can curb piracy on our waters because when you consider what the Air Force is bringing, you will agree with me that piracy at sea will be reduced. But for NIMASA we have our own modern ICT that tells us when a ship enters our coastal water. The federal government must ensure that they strictly implement the policies provided to curb piracy around our waters.
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