Ungoverned Spaces Encourage Criminal Activities in Nigeria Maritime Domain – Admiral Oyagha
A former Chief of Administration in the Defence Headquarters, Admiral Austin Oyagha has described the existence of what he called ungoverned spaces as the cause for rising criminality in the Nigerian maritime domain
According to him, contrary to some notions that the defunct Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS) facilities overlapped with naval security infrastructure, there were areas not covered by the tracking and monitoring technologies deployed by government agencies and committees.
Admiral Oyagha who stated this while delivering a lecture on Tuesday at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Blue Economy Week said effective maritime domain awareness is vital to national security and economy
While identifying the 9/11 2001 terrorists attack on the United States as one event that has raised global awareness for security across all modes of transportation including the maritime sector, Oyagha described the maritime area as critical because it generates eighty percent of Nigeria’s source of income.
Speaking on the topic “Maritime Domain Awareness: A Case Study of Nigerian Territorial Waters”, Admiral Oyagha recalled several milestones including the nation’s exclusive economic zone spanning . … nautical miles
Oyagha said MDA radars are expected to cover the entire space of the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone without any blind spot but noted that it is yet to have such full range coverage of the backwaters
This according to him has made it possible for criminal elements to capitalise on the blind spots leading to actions like illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and other unlawful activities.
According to him past efforts like implementation of ISPS code, establishment of the defunct PICOMSS and RMAC, establishment of RMCC by NIMASA
He noted that agencies like NPA NIMASA and NN have similar infrastructure which is an avoidable and costly duplication, not yielding good results
He described the Falcon Eye established by the Nigerian Navy in 2014 , C31 of Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) and C4i of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as efforts directed at a common goal
Oyagha said due to sustained maritime domain awareness acts there has been a reduction in illegal activities and an increase in cargo traffic of merchant vessels visiting the country.
He added the incidences of Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities have been reduced through naval intervention and caused an increase in the number of registered fishing vessels in Nigeria.
He called on the federal government to ensure harmonization of all maritime agencies efforts and insist on their operational efficiency.
Speaking earlier, Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Cdre Duja Effedua said the academy embarked on the Blue Economy Week to boost cadets awareness on the concept and prepare them for life outside school.
Theme for the week long event is Blue Economy: Issues Challenges and Opportunities for Nigeria.
