The United Nation Development Project ( UNDP) has commended the Nigerian Navy and other international bodies for their tremendous efforts and visions in combating the menace of piracy in Gulf of Guinea (GoG) region.
Mr Mathew Alao, UNDP team lead on Governance, Peace and Security, gave the commendation, while speaking at the inauguration of piracy course on core principles and practice of combating piracy organised by MLAILPKC in Abuja.
Alao described the Gulf of Guinea as a ‘dangerous hotspot area for seafarers’, in spite of past actions by the Nigerian Navy.
He said that piracy and maritime crimes had continued to pose serious threats to international trades, the safety of seafarers, and regional and global development.
He said that the course would consolidation on the achievement of the 2021 maiden edition of anti piracy project implemented by MLAILPKC in collaborations with countries in the Gulf including Nigeria.
“The counter piracy project which is being implemented by the centre will assist the Gulf of Guinea countries, to further strengthen their institutional effectiveness, inclusiveness, accountability transparency and responsiveness.
“The project will contribute towards the attainment of the sustainable development goal 16, which aims to promote peace and inclusive societies for sustainable development.
“Provide access to justice for all and build effective and accountable institutions at all levels,” he said.
Mr Shinozawa Takayuki, a Charge d’ Affairs ad Interim of Japan to Nigeria also commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency for fighting against piracy in Gulf of Guinea.
“Countries such as UK and US are working together with the Nigerian government on security in the Gulf of Guinea.
“The government of Japan is committed to contributing to the security of West Africa and protect people live through a variety of measures including capacity building for personnel in charge of maritime safety.
“In June, a signing ceremony was held to grant high speed boats to NIMASA, the high speed boat will make a significant contribution to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea in the near future,’’ he said.
Takayuki, however, added that government of Japan believed that it’s important to contribute to the peace and stability of the African region by promoting the use of the oceans as an international public property.
The Minister of State, Budget and Planning, Prince Clem Agba, said that the perennial problem of regional piracy activities in GoG were confronted headlong in a new tactical dimension.
Agba, represented by Victoria Oluyole, Deputy Director, UN Deputy System Division, in the ministry said that government of Japan, UNDP, Nigerian Navy and other concerned nations had been planning on ways of combating the menace.
He said their activities would make our national and regional water safe and correct the damages already done.
According to him, the Federal Government of Nigeria and coastal region have achieved against the piracy activities, which includes improved indicators on incident of maritime crime.
Furthermore, he added that the UN reports had provided the implementation of the GoG declaration on suppression of piracy, yielding good results with statistics show reduction in global piracy and armed robbery incidence.
In his remarks, the Assistant Director training, Navy Headquarters, Captain Nsikan Friday, said the Nigerian Navy, was always ready to battle piracy.
Friday urged participants to maximise all information which would help in curbing piracy, adding that there was reduction in piracy activities in the GoG, especially in Nigerian waterway.
