GoG: Why Nigeria is Taking Leading Role in Fight Against Piracy, by NIMASA DG
pirates
Says other West African countries not doing enough
*Explains why other international countries are involved
By Francis Ugwoke
The failure of other West African countries in contributing significantly in the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) is among the reasons why Nigeria took the issue headlong and sought enlarged collaboration from the international community on the issue.
The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr, Bashir Jamoh said that the biggest problem for Nigeria is the blame she suffers over GoG for other countries failure to do their beat.
Noting that Nigeria has invested heavily in the war against piracy, Jamoh said this was not the same for many other West African countries in the GoG.
Many of them do not have resources to acquire platforms and other infrastructure needed to check pirates, Jamoh said at a press conference in Lagos weekend.
He explained that often times, Nigeria is being blamed for piracy attacks on other countries in the GoG, adding that to worsen the matter was that some of the proceeds of the attack were found in Nigeria.
Jamoh said this was why Nigeria has taken far-reaching steps in the war against piracy and other insecurity with the introduction of the Deep Blue project.
He added that on taking the leading role in the GoG, Nigeria realized that one country cannot address the issue.
At this level, he disclosed that the international community who have been appreciative of Nigeria’s efforts in the GoG were ready to collaborate in the fight against piracy.
He said this explains why the European Union, including Denmark, France, Italy, Britain and even United States have all been involved in the effort to address the GoG piracy.
He disclosed that the International Coordinating Centre in Yoaunde had stood up to challenge Nigeria for the leading role apparently because of the cooperation from the international community on this role.
But Jamoh explained, “We have spent a lot in security, look at what we have put in the deep blue project.
“We believe other African countries are not doing much like Nigeria. But why we said we will take a leading role is because we know we are coming with the deep blue project, that is why we said we will take a leading role. Whatever happens in the GoG, Togo and others, the next thing is the pointing finger is Nigeria. Our integrity is at stake, nobody respects us. We cannot stay and be called names, because if there is an attack, people in Ghana, Guinea, Gabon, the proceeds of that kidnapping is found on Nigerian soil. So it becomes very delicate for us to even speak. This was why we said let us open our problem to the international community. Every month let us have a meeting and discuss all the problems we have in GoG, and we hold the meeting, joint industry working group. We brought all the practitioners in the world, major conglomerates and we asked the IMO to choose a representative and from time to time, they are monitoring what we are doing.
“It is from this we got Shade Boko of Guinea to accept any international community that is ready to render their own contributions in addressing the maritime insecurity in the GoG.
“Among all African countries connected with the GoG, no country can beat Nigeria economically, navy wise, the strength and everything, they have limited resources to buy flag boats and assets and at the end of the day Nigeria is taking panadol for other countries’ headache. If you have a country like say, Togo, it is your duty to ensure that no crime is committed in your territorial water…..
“To say you are blaming Nigeria because you see the proceeds of the crime in Nigeria, it is because those countries are not doing what they are supposed to do. But we cannot sit down and fold our hands and watch Nigeria being accused anyhow. We must do our best to see that we stop it. And that is how we have EU in the circle of the security apparatus of the GOG. That is how you have friends of the GoG. That is why you have presence of Denmark, France, Italy, Britain and US. So that target of the GoG is for all the Navies of these countries to come under the shade and we divide responsibility. This is because GoG water is very large. So there is need for a group to take certain area and man. The fact of the matter is that maritime insecurity cannot be addressed by one country. We must get support because the GoG water is huge and large. So in such a situation, we must be able to get every hand and this is how these countries stand. In a bid to address this issue, we now experienced the problems we are having with the Danish frigate, so that is why you see the EU presence in the GoG. The aim of Shade Boko of Guinea is to ensure we address this. Shade Boko of Guinea is being co-chaired by NIMASA, Nigerian Navy, the international coordinating centre in Yaounde and monitored by the International Maritime Organisation. That is why we have been receiving a lot of praises from IMO because of our role. We introduced it and we need it and we are doing it”.
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