Oil installations still under threat, says NIMASA

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has said that oil and gas installations in the country are daily confronted by diverse threats and that security agencies must come together to protect the maritime domain.

The Director-General, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said this in Abuja on Wednesday at a quarterly meeting and workshop on National Counter Terrorism Strategy Secure Pillar.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser and NIMASA.

Peterside said the shipping industry as well as oil and gas installations were important sources of income for the growth of the country’s economy, noting that identified threats included piracy, illegal bunkering and terrorism.

He stated, “Every effort in the fight against terrorism goes a long way in the overall success of our counter terrorism strategy. Besides our economic challenges, the next hard challenge for our nation is the issue of security and terrorism. There is a need for strong synergy and collaboration among security agencies in the war against terrorism and insecurity.

“For us in NIMASA, we shall continue to collaborate with the ONSA for capacity building in maritime security. The shipping industry and oil and gas installations are confronted daily by diverse threats. Piracy, illegal bunkering and terrorism are also known threats. The expanse of Nigeria’s maritime area compares to about one-third of Nigeria’s total land area.”

The NSA, Maj-.Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd), said the workshop would help to fight criminalities and secure the maritime sector.

He stated, “The counter- terrorism strategy is a crucial collaboration towards achieving the desired objectives of securing our nation against terrorist groups and other criminalities. It is in this light that we partner NIMASA to implement the counter terrorism strategy through the five pillars of forestall, secure, identify, prepare and implement.”