Aminat Isah, Abuja
The Nigerian Government under the Federal Ministry of Transportation, in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy will tomorrow, September 7th host the Global Maritime Security conference.
The conference is aimed at addressing the security issues confronting the Gulf of Guinea maritime domain and come up with a formal declaration on solutions to them.
Speaking in Abuja, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside said the scourge of maritime insecurity, especially in the Gulf of Guinea is alarming, hence the urgent need for international collaboration to tackle the menace.
Dakuku said there is a need for inter-agency collaboration as well as regional collaboration between sister agencies in participating countries in dealing with issues of piracy and maritime crime.
Dakuku said “a robust collection of international maritime security stakeholders have confirmed their attendance at the Global Maritime Security Conference, GMSC scheduled to hold in Abuja from October 7 to 9.
” About eight Chiefs of Naval Staff from Africa, 16 representatives of Chiefs of Naval Staff from the continent, and representatives of Chiefs of Naval Staff from Brazil, United States, and some European countries were expected at the conference.
“We have full representation, we have Navies from 38 countries coming for the conference, including two Rear Admirals from the United States. The global naval community is well represented at the conference. We are also bringing the Head of Liberian Coast Guard, we are bringing the heads of coast guards from 27 countries. We have clearly confirmed over 500 foreigners coming for the conference and over 2,000 persons have registered for the Global Maritime Security Conference.”
Dr Dakuku, explained that the conference is a tactical one ensuing between developing countries, developed countries and high international partners to profer solution to the challenges confronting global commerce.
“Ninety per cent of commerce is conducted via seaborne trade, so whatever affects seaborne trade affects global commerce and has direct impact on development and quality of living of a people.
“At the end of the conference, we are expected to come up with the Abuja Declaration on Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea, which will be a document that will be a consensus agreement of all participants regarding what needs to be done to address the deteriorating situation. There will be a defined roadmap to deal with maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea,” he added.
