President pledges to strengthen maritime security

chika ebuzor

November 11, 2016 7:40 AM

The President made the pledge when he received the Executive Secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission.

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday pledged that Nigeria would team up with other countries to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The President made the pledge when he received the Executive Secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, Mrs Florentina Adenike Ukonga, at the State House, Abuja.

Buhari said that the Commission was of strategic importance, as most of the crude oil siphoned from Nigeria was taken through the Gulf of Guinea.

“The region between Senegal and Angola affects our financial and physical security as a country.

“Nigeria will, therefore, meet all its obligations to the Gulf of Guinea Commission, and also encourage other member countries to do same.

“This administration will do its best to strengthen maritime security," he said.

According to the President, the rejuvenation of the Gulf of Guinea Commission is vital, and Nigeria will participate more effectively because of the security implications.

In her remarks, Ukonga disclosed that the Commission was established in 2001 to tackle piracy, unregulated fishing, drugs and human trafficking, environmental pollution, among others.

She said that the Gulf of Guinea Commission, with headquarters in Luanda, Angola, also generates awareness among member states on the need to maintain security in their territorial waters.

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“We have been giving the bad guys in maritime a run for their money,’’ she added.

According to her, the Commission has eight countries as members from West and Central Africa, with an intention to admit more countries soon.

chika ebuzor