.Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba
By Diana-Okon Effiong:
The Nigerian Navy has restated its personnel’s resolve to ensure that the nation’s maritime domain is kept safe against piracy, illegal bunkering, sea robbery and other illegalities.
The naval hierarchy’s resolve was restated by Rear-Adm. Joe Aikhomu, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, at news conference to herald the first Gulf of Guinea Regional Maritime Awareness Capability Conference (RMAC) in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, was also determined to continually provide “ a holistic operational framework anchored on surveillance, response initiative and enforcement’’ in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Aikhomu said these actions were considered “pivotal variables for effective maritime security’’.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Navy is taking the lead in increasing existing regional maritime Domain Capability through surveillance systems located along Nigeria’s coastline in order to improve total awareness of the environment’.
“This effort has already started yielding tangible results with the arrest of over 40 vessels engaged in illegal activities in our waters,
“How to extend this coverage to the entire Gulf of Guinea, through collaboration of other member states, is what this conference is set to address,’’ Aikhomu said.
He said that the conference which will hold in Calabar from July 29 to July 31 at the Tinapa Lakeside Hotel.
According to Aikhomu, the theme of the conference is “Regional Maritime Awareness Capability Systems: A key for Enhancing Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea’’.
He said that the conference was born out of the need to have a complete maritime domain awareness of Nigeria’s maritime environment including the gulf of guinea and the need to protect it.
Aikhomu said that expanded economic activities in the Gulf of Guinea gave rise to renewed interest within the region.
“The strategic importance of this region derives from the fact that we depend to a large extent on sea transportation, food, trade, energy and capital, all of which are essential ingredients of national security and imperatives of economic growth and national development
“As bright as the future might seem, there are numerous threats in the Gulf of Guinea that would adversely impact on the present and future development of the region,’’ Aikhomu said.
He said the threats included sea robbery and piracy, crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, unreported and unregulated fishing, drug and human trafficking as well as proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
He said that the conference would be organised by the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with the US Office of Security Cooperation (OSC).
He said the objective is to improve maritime awareness of the GOG and the need for member states to cooperate in intelligence gathering and information sharing.
He said that Naval chiefs from Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire; Gabon; Equatorial Guinea; Angola; Namibia; South Africa; Benin Republic; Senegal; Togo; Cameroun; and Sao Tome and Principe were expected at the regional conference.
The Commanders, United States African Command and the US Naval Forces Africa are also expected to present papers at the conference.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) THUNDER berthed in Calabar Thursday ahead of the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) Conference billed for Calabar July 29 to July 31 this year.
A statement by Lt, Commander Way Olabisi, the Public Relations Officer, Eastern Naval Command the naval ship will “ take part in the RMAC conference holding in Calabar from July 29-31 2013’’.
According to the statement “the Ship was received on arrival by the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear-Adm. Joe Aikhomu.
“This is the first time the ship is visiting cross river state. The Ship also took part at the 2013 OBANGAME EXPRESS in Cameroun in February 2013.
“The ship is berthed at the NPA Calabar. The Ship will be opened to visitors on Monday July 29 from 10 am to 1 pm,’’ Olabisi stated.
admin
