Collaboration among agencies is critical to curbing criminal activities in the Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea, according to the director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh.
Jamoh stressed the significance of inter-agency collaboration for sustaining efforts aimed at ending criminal activities in the area during a meeting with Major General (Rtd) Barry Ndiomu, the interim administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
Jamoh noted that working together is crucial to maintaining the momentum of policing the Nigerian waters while empowering young people to take advantage of opportunities in the maritime sector.
The meeting was held at the headquarters of the agency in Lagos, where Jamoh welcomed the amnesty boss and applauded his visit, calling it timely and a wake-up call to synergy.
In addition, the director-general assured the amnesty interim administrator of the agency’s readiness to collaborate in reintegrating beneficiaries of the amnesty programme into society. Jamoh stated that Nigeria has received commendations from the international community for visible successes achieved in addressing insecurity in the country’s maritime domain, and emphasised the need to sustain the tempo of progress.
Jamoh also highlighted the potential of the Blue Economy to create jobs and engage youths in the maritime sector, thereby reducing the prevalence of criminal activities on the waterways. He stated that the Nigerian maritime industry is vast enough to provide sustainable and active engagement for youths, as there are enormous opportunities in the industry that can generate foreign earnings.
Finally, the NIMASA DG assured Ndiomu of the agency’s readiness to collaborate with the Presidential Amnesty Programme in reintegrating beneficiaries of the amnesty programme into society. He urged all stakeholders to work together to sustain efforts aimed at improving maritime security and promoting economic growth in Nigeria.
