War against piracy is total

NIMASA tries to keep ahead of maritime crime. 

With military’s support, war against piracy is total – Akpobolokemi, DG/CEO, NIMASA

BY UCHE USIM

Despite the Federal Government’s efforts to aggressively woo foreign investors to revamp the nation’s economy, piracy, sea robbery and other crimes best described as economic terrorism appears to be on the rise.

This is because Nigeria operates an import dependent economy as substantial volume of the goods needed in the country are freighted by sea. Besides, a good percentage of the revenue generated by the government comes from shipment levies and vessel charges.

It therefore means that, without adequate security for seafarers and vessels, shipping companies will naturally dread Nigerian waters and the concomitant effect will be cargo draught and blighted economy.

It is in this light that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy in August 2013 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly halt the activities of sea criminals, threatening the economy of the country.

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Source: sunnewsonline.com