Peterside, said various countries in the
Gulf of Guinea and regional organisations like Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS), Economic Community of Central African
States (ECCAS) and others that were concerned and working to find a
solution to the menace.
He added that countries are not
necessarily going to adopt a uniform approach in fighting maritime
insecurity in their domains but will collaborate to ensure that
insecurity in the GoG is tackled.
He also said efforts were on to ensure
that perpetrators of illegal fishing and stolen oil do not benefit from
their unlawful acts as efforts are going to be put in place to check the
acts at the point of sales in the international markets.
A representative of the Chief of the
Naval Staff of Nigerian Navy, Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral
Begroy Ibe-Emwo, also disclosed that the Navy would soon take delivery
of additional 2 vessels to strengthen its patrol against illegal
fishing.
While admitting that the ocean is vast
and Nigeria’s inability to fully police the waters, he said the federal
government is putting measures in place to arrest the situation.
Meanwhile, in a communiqué issued at the
end of the conference it was agreed that states of GoG and her
international partners should give priority attention to training and
capacity building for relevant stakeholders involved in maritime
security including national maritime authorities, law enforcement
agencies and navies as first responders.
It was also agreed that Navy/Coast
Guards and maritime law enforcement agencies in the GoG states should
engage in regular joint maritime operations, including with
international partners, to harmonise operational procedures, training
standards and foster interoperability.
The communiqué read in part, “GoG States
should explore the possibility of designated maritime courts to handle
cases of sea robbery, piracy and other maritime offences to ensure quick
dispensation of cases in addition to capacity building and
sensitisation of judiciary on crucial relevant legislation.
“GoG States should put more efforts to
implement various agreed strategies at the continental, regional and
national levels. GoG States with the support of regional organisations
like the ECOWAS, ECCAS, ICC and relevant international organisations
should continue to ratify and fully domesticate the provisions of the
relevant international conventions including UNCLOS 1982, SUA and Port
States Measures Agreement.
“GoG countries should explore
alternative and innovative sources of funding for their maritime
security and law enforcement agencies to enhance the effectiveness of
their response to maritime incidents. GoG States should establish
repeatable, documentable frameworks for interagency cooperation. GoG
states are encouraged to strengthen mechanisms and structures for
engagement with the local communities, fishing communities and seafarers
including private stakeholders for economic benefits. GoG States should
strengthen, including funding, national, zonal and regional maritime
domain awareness centres to enhance information sharing and
coordination. GoG States are encouraged to sustain regular meeting of
heads of states, heads of navies/coast guards and other maritime
enforcement agencies on issues of maritime security for mutual benefit.”
It added, “Relevant regional maritime agencies should engage industry
experts/representatives for informed policy decision on maritime
security and related issues. GoG States should promote strategic
communications initiative to enhance awareness on maritime security
concerns and potential benefits. GoG States should engage in maritime
spatial planning of coastal and urban areas to ensure that maritime
security vulnerabilities are not created particularly in proximity to
critical maritime infrastructure.”
