The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced it will acquire strategic maritime safety and security assets, including more fast-intervention vessels, to combat piracy and crime in Nigerian territorial waters.
NIMASA Director General Dr Dakuku Peterside said the establishment of a command and control centre was part of the initiative that has been approved by the Federal Executive Council.
"The four components of the initiative are situational awareness, response capability, law enforcement and local partnerships, and regional cooperation which are the fulcrum upon which tackling maritime crime will be built on," said Dr Peterside in Lagos.
He said NIMASA would continue to collaborate with the military, especially the navy and the air force, to make Nigerian waterways safe and secure.
"We are not unmindful of the peculiar environment of Niger Delta, which poses its own challenge in tackling maritime crime, especially kidnapping of crew and illegal bunkering that leads to pollution," said Dr Peterside.
"We will continue to work with the Nigerian Navy and regional organisations to strengthen our regional approach to tackling maritime crime."
Dr Peterside added that eradicating maritime crime and piracy would be a priority for the agency and its partners in 2018.
