ACNNtv
Updated: May 18, 2021
The Nigerian Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria accounts for between 65% and 75% of the crimes that happens on the waters in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi speaking on Monday in Abuja, said Nigeria has made progress sorting out insecurity from its side in the Gulf of Guinea.
Hon. Amaechi revealed that a maritime security project would be launched in Lagos this June by President Buhari. The Minister said “the crisis in the maritime sector is the maritime insecurity and it’s more complex than the world knows”, adding that the Federal Government has a solution at hand.
He made plain that if the security plan involving the Army, Navy, and the DSS comes out fruitful, “in the near future, there will be an improvement in the maritime security, then other countries in the Gulf of Guinea can adopt it.
“Seventy-five or 65 per cent of crime comes from our waters and if we are able to eliminate it then we will be making a lot of progress” he stressed. The Minister further disclosed that “If you are in the air, you will see what is happening on the water.
The helicopter has the ability to drop in the Naval men when they see anything suspicious”. He expressed readiness of the FG to partner and share information with whoever wants information as regards securing the Gulf of Guinea.
Earlier, the Belgium Ambassador to Nigeria, Daniel Bertrand officially presented a letter to the Minister requesting the support of the Nigerian government for the Belgium candidate for the position at the International Maritime Organization.
The Ambassador mentioned that they observed with ardent interest what is happening in the Gulf of Guinea and would love to receive assistance and give support in any way to the implementation of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.