The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment of safety and security along the waterways, noting that the maritime domain is relevant because of wealth creation.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Musa Istifanus made this known at the inter-agency expert consultative dialogue session on articulation of the implementation plan of Nigeria’s National Maritime Strategy, NMS organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC.
He explained that the country’s economy relies on the exploitation of the seaborne natural resources of hydrocarbon, its transportation and relevance to global energy security.
Istifanus also noted that in line with promoting security along the coast line, the government recently launched the deep blue project with assets worth over 195 million dollars and invested in the acquisition of more patrol vessels and aircraft for the Nigerian Navy.
The permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director, Airforce Ministry of Defence, Utsuashibel Peter, recalled that the African continent and the regional Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS developed Integrated Maritime Strategies, IMS as a response to the high volume of insecurities within the continent.
