The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) yesterday took a further step in its determination to ensure improved security on the nation’s coast. It went into an agreement with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) with a view to providing effective air surveillance and monitoring of the coastal waters.
The development comes on the heels of apprehension about the compliance of Nigeria with the demands of the International Ships and Ports facility (ISPS) Code.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) yesterday took a further step in its determination to ensure improved security on the nation’s coast. It went into an agreement with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) with a view to providing effective air surveillance and monitoring of the coastal waters.
The development comes on the heels of apprehension about the compliance of Nigeria with the demands of the International Ships and Ports facility (ISPS) Code.
Director General of NIMASA; Mr. Ziakede Akpobolokemi underscored the importance of the NIMASA/Air Force partnership at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU), in Abuja yesterday saying that the MoU will not only promote maritime security and safety, it will also enhance revenue generation.
He appealed the management of the Nigerian Air Force to not allow any form of bureaucracy to hamper the MoU so that, according to him, the objective of the partnership will not be defeated.
Giving an insight into the partnership, Akpobolokemi said that, it will either reduce the issue of piracy and robbery or totally eliminate the menace from the nation’s waters.
The NIMASA boss particularly commended the role the NAF played recently in the rescue of a distressed vessel which led to the criminals being apprehended.
According to him, “when there are dangers in the waters, we need the search and rescue support of the Nigerian Air Force because they have what it takes to do the job, so it is necessary we partner with them”.
“The recent rescue operation that was made possible by officers of the Nigerian Air Force will send a clear signal to people who have been terrorising our waters” Akpobolokemi added.
According to Akpobolokemi, the MOU signed by NIMASA and the Nigerian Air force in addition to an existing MOU with the Nigerian Navy will help tackle notable challenges militating against safe and secure shipping in Nigeria which include; limited assets to monitor and enforce maritime laws; rising incidences of piracy and armed robbery at sea; illegal ship- to – ship transfer of oil in Nigerian waters, illegal fishing and limited data on both fixed and floating facilities moored in Nigerian waters.
“The MOU encourages the Nigerian Air force to provide air tactical support for sea-based operations against illicit operations of ships. The recent success of the anti-piracy operations involving the Agency, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air force has given impetus to this agreement”, the NIMASA DG stressed.
Speaking in similar vein, the Chief of Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh said that the NAF has capacity to go deep into the sea, noting that there are agencies and institutions that are legally empowered for such responsibilities.
He however assured that the NAF will support NIMASA in ensuring that the waters are free of criminals, even as he acknowledged that all kinds of vessels come into the country without restriction and cart away resources from the waters and added that this sabotage by foreigners must stop.
“What we should do is to ensure that Nigeria benefit maximally from every action we take regarding this MoU” he assured.
“Our planes and surveillance equipment are packed with intelligence; we join you in this war against piracy in our waters”, added.
“The Nigerian Air force is competent and willing to pursue the objectives of this MOU in the interest of our dear nation. Illegal operations of ships sabotage the Nigerian economy and require the cooperation of the Nigerian Air force, NIMASA and all concerned to save Nigeria”, Badeh maintained
In the Memorandum of Understanding, both parties recognised the need to ulitize selected NAF airborne assets to complement the on going efforts.
Some of the terms of reference of the MoU will cover areas of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue tactical airlift and enforcement. NIMASA and the Nigerian Air force are to collaborate in the broad areas of Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue operations, tactical airlifting and enforcement actions against piracy, smuggling, illegal bunkering and illegal fishing.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that NIMASA already has a similar MoU with the Nigerian Navy, which culminated into the establishment of a Maritime Guard Command which comprises of personnel from both agencies, but funded by and domiciled in NIMASA.
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