NIMASA, Air Force Ink Agreement to Curb Piracy, Oil Theft

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) took a further step in their determination to ensure improved security on the nation’s coast by sealing an agreement to provide effective air surveillance and monitoring of the coastal waters.

The development comes on the heels of compliance of Nigeria with the demands of the International Ships and Ports facility (ISPS) Code.

Mr. Ziakede Akpobolokemi, director General, NIMASA, while signing the MoU in Abuja said it will not only promote maritime security and safety, it will also enhance revenue generation.

He appealed the management of the Nigerian Air Force to not allow any form of bureaucracy to hamper the MoU so that, according to him, the objective of the partnership will not be defeated.

Giving an insight into the partnershipthe DG said that, it will either reduce the issue of piracy and robbery or totally eliminate the menace from the nation’s waters.

According to him, “when there are dangers in the waters, we need the search and rescue support of the Nigerian Air Force because they have what it takes to do the job, so it is necessary we partner with them”.

“The recent rescue operation that was made possible by officers of the Nigerian Air Force will send a clear signal to people who have been terrorising our waters” Akpobolokemi added.

Speaking on same stance, Air Marshall Alex Badeh, the Chief of Staff, said that the NAF has capacity to go deep into the sea, noting that there are agencies and institutions that are legally empowered for such responsibilities.

He however assured that the NAF will support NIMASA in ensuring that the waters are free of criminals, even as he acknowledged that all kinds of vessels come into the country without restriction and cart away resources from the waters and added that this sabotage by foreigners must stop.

“What we should do is to ensure that Nigeria benefit maximally from every action we take regarding this MoU” he assured.

“Our planes and surveillance equipment are packed with intelligence; we join you in this war against piracy in our waters”, added.

In the Memorandum of Understanding, both parties recognised the need to utilise selected NAF airborne assets to complement the on going efforts.

Some of the terms of reference of the MoU will cover areas of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue tactical airlift and enforcement.

Other equipment to be deployed to support NIMASA includes NAF’s APR, LU8 and MAL.