The International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping, has for the second time in six months, commended Nigeria’s role in ensuring security in the Gulf of Guinea (GOG) region.
In a letter addressed to director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamoh, IMO specifically highlighted NIMASA’S contribution to include enacting the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act 2019, and the initiation of the Deep Blue Project.
The letter, which was signed by the director, Maritime Safety Division, Heike Deggim on behalf of the IMO secretary general, Kitack Lim, IMO said, “From the successful enactment of SPOMO Act 2019, to the initiation and implementation of the C4i Deep Blue Project, Nigeria continues to demonstrate its leadership in the region with regard to maritime domain awareness and the enhancement of maritime security among littoral states.
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“IMO remains committed to supporting the good work being done by Gulf of Guinea States such as Nigeria, to improve maritime governance and to enhance maritime security in terms of threats and challenges. It is, therefore, imperative that States adopt a strategic approach in order to ensure effective implementation and compliance,” the letter further reads.
Recall that Lim had similarly in June written to Jamoh following the arrest and prosecution of some suspected pirates by Nigeria, a move he said sent a ‘strong and valuable message’ to the international community about Nigeria’s commitment to safety and security on its waters.
Earlier in a virtual address to a meeting of the G7++group of Friends of the Gulf of Guinea (G7++FOGG), Jamoh expressed Nigeria’s resolve to achieve security in the region.
While stating that Nigeria’s strategy against insecurity in the region would be based on home-grown solutions, he called for international cooperation and technical assistance, particularly as regards to maritime security strategy and policy development in line with IMO instruments.
Jamoh said Nigeria would rid the Gulf of Guinea of maritime crime using local initiatives anchored on the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also listed Deep Blue Project, with the Command, Control, Communication, Computers, and Intelligence Centre (C4i Centre); SPOMO Act; and intensified regional cooperation.
