Despite the acquisition of several surveillance equipments by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), maritime experts decry poor surveillance of the nation’s maritime domain.
Experts say that the surveillance of maritime space has become a major issue requiring urgent attention from the government as the problem was responsible for infiltration of Nigerian territorial waters by foreigners who come to fish without necessary certification.
A maritime expert and Chairman, Port Consultative Council (PCC), Otunba Kunle Folarin stressed this while speaking at the maiden quarterly business roundtable on the theme; “Post Election Economy: Exploring Strategies for Growth” organized by Kings Communications Limited, recently.
He lamented that the investment in the fishing subsector had dropped drastically from 125 fishing companies about ten years ago to 25 as at today, a decrease of 80%.
Otunba Folarin said, “For diplomatic reasons I will not mention names of the countries but we know that surveillance is low and it is not a matter of blame game to ask why is it low.
“Policing Nigeria maritime space is a serious issue that the government should address.
“Who should be in charge or held responsible with issues that have been raised by the inadequate surveillance of the maritime space, has brought a lot of problem to the nation’s economy.
Folarin, who doubles as the Chairman, National Seafarers Welfare Board ( NSWB) lamented that investors are worried over the high level of insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea adding that the maritime industry has key potentials to provide millions of jobs if well enhanced.
“Nigeria has the longest coastline in the Gulf of Guinea. It has over 9,000 nautical miles of coastline which is largest in Africa when compared to any other country.
“The surveillance is low to the extent that its a fields day for every country of the world to come fish in our waters.
He also listed high freight as a menace to the economy.
“Nigerian freight has been raised by 30% through difficult port surcharge coupled with all manner of levies resulted to unidentified issues of problem.
Speaking further, the PCC boss added that “The coastline within the bight of Benin around the Gulf of Guinea which records the highest number of piracy needs adequate policing.
Otunba expressed optimism that if the issues of insecurity and high freight could be resolved, the Maritime sector will boost the economy of the country tremendously.
