The Minister of Defence Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi has reassured that the security and safety of Nigeria’s Maritime Territory would remain a priority to the Federal Government.
Gen Magashi was speaking to Maritime Stakeholders at the closing ceremony of the 2021 Chief of Naval Staff Annual Conference held at the Coronation Hall of Government House, Kano at the weekend.
He said for the defence of the country and the economic potential of the Maritime Territory the government would continue to respond to the needs of the Nigerian Navy as well as other stakeholders including the Nigerian Customs, the NIMASA. and relevant paramilitary agencies with stakes in the management of the nation’s Maritime.
The Minister who represented President Muhammadu Buhari as the Special Guest of Honor at the conference, commended the alertness of the Officers and Men of the Nigeria Navy in decimating security challenges in the high sea.
The Chairman of ENFRASCO Limited, Mr. Chukwuma Henry Okolo who delivered a paper on Harnessing Nigeria’s Ship building Capability said building in-country capabilities for Ships manufacturing would be a major contribution to national security and economic development.
He however remarked that the beginning is to have a sincere determination.
A major stakeholder and Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh pointed out that collaboration among Stakeholders is critical.
“There are 5 categories of agencies within the maritime cluster including the Armed Forces, the Non-Military Services, Agencies with incidental functions, the regulatory Agencies and Disaster management agencies.” He explains
Stakeholders agreed that there is abridged performance in Management of the Maritime sector and called for the reevaluation and redefinition of roles of each of the constitutional arm of government relating to the sector.
Dr. Jamoh advised against Agencies rivalry and suggested active collaboration in trust and sincerity in the Management of the Nigerian Maritime industry.
Kabir Isa Bala
For Director Press and Public Relations Ministry of Defence Abuja.
