The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas
yesterday in Lagos, attributed the rise in sea robberies to the migration of
criminals from land to the water, even as he assured that the Navy would
checkmate the trend.....
Speaking with journalists
at the end of his three days tour round commands and naval formations under the
Western Naval Command, the CNS said that the Navy had been able to block all
access in water where criminals used to source for funds. This he said , led to
their migration into sea robberies , all in the bid to get money. He said : ” You
should know that most of these criminals are migrating. The reason is that when
you block the access where these they get their fundings, they migrate to other
means to survive. “So far , the Navy has shut down most of the illegal refinery
sites and we have been able to bottle up their activities and prevent them from
going to sea. Also, with the support of other regulatory bodies, most of the
boats they used out there, like the 200 horse power, have been seized. They
therefore, are looking for other ways to survive . That is why when they rob on
land , they run to the back waters. But the Nigerian Navy is on their trail .”
He disclosed that so far, over 5000 spaces at the back waters has been
identified but was quick to add that aside the fact that the back waters was
not part of the Navy’s responsibility, its patrol ships could not also navigate
the areas due to its shallow nature. On other hand, he revealed that the Navy
had been able to bring acts of piracy to the barest minimal, by effectively
safeguarding the maritime environment . He pointed out that effect of the
dwindling cases of piracy on the nation’s territorial waters had started
rubbing off on the economy, owing to the increase in maritime activities. He
said : “So far , I think the results are there to speak for themselves. Our
mandate is to provide maritime security and an enabling environment for our
seafarers . “We have been able to considerably bring down the cases of piracy
on our waters. All these are well noticed in the volume of trade, as the export
and import of products are on the high side . And the fishing trade is also on
the increase . ” These and other more, are the positive impact our operation
have on the economy.” The CNS however, stated that the Navy was still in need
of more platforms that would help in actualising its emplaced Safe Transit
Corridor, a process whereby Navy’s patrol vessels would lead vessels carrying
goods and products out of the country , from where the Navies of other
countries would take over u til the vessels reach their destinations. He
pointed out that the initiative was to provide robust protection for vessels
and prevent them from being attacked by pirates. He explained that the tour was
an annual routine carried out in all commands , informing that it was aimed at
appraising the readiness of the Navy , as well as to interact with men and
officers , remind d them of what was expected of them, as well as discuss the
way forward on security.
No comments: