Maritime Security Top Priority for Nigeria
Nigerian maritime industry has hailed President Goodluck Jonathan over what they called the "giant strides" he has made in the sector and lauded him for the steps it has taken to tackle the challenges.
The Legal Adviser/General Secretary, MWN, Mr. Macjohnson Odey said parts of the achievements included human capacity development through the National Seafarer Development Program (NSDP) carried out by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), shipyard and dockyard, and satellite surveillance centre.
Odey said the present government is currently building a shipyard for repairs and maintenance of ships, barges, amongst others in Delta State and should be given the opportunity to continue so that it can complete all the projects it is executing in the maritime industry.
He stated that the government's dogged war against piracy led to the establishment of satellite surveillance centres to help fight against piracy, oil theft, smuggling within the water ways and other maritime crimes within the nation territorial waters.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, has said President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration placed high premium on maritime security as a prerequisite for the economic well-being of Nigeria.