Chief Of The Naval Staff Harps On Human Capacity Development and Effective Maritime Policing In Nigeria
Human capacity development and effective policing of the maritime environment have been identified as panacea for realising Nigerian Navy’s roles and safeguarding the maritime environment for economic growth and development. Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla stated this while delivering a lecture to participants of Course 33, National Defence College Nigeria (NDC) in Abuja.
The CNS said the NN places much importance on human capacity development for effective discharge of its constitutional roles to the nation and avers that NN policing roles as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution empower it to enforce customs laws, anti-illegal bunkering measures, fishery regulations, and maintain both national and international maritime laws. The CNS who took time to acquaint the participants with NN efforts at improving maritime security for national development relates that the maritime environment is the hub of socio-economic development of Nigeria and conscious of that, the NN has always developed strategies to effectively protect and police the environment. He said the maritime environment covers about 10,000 km of creeks in which 3,800 km were navigable all-round the year which provides access to 28 of the 36 states of Nigeria and connect 6 neighbouring countries, adding that Nigeria ‘s maritime environment is one of the most fertile hydrocarbons in the world with 8 percent GDP and 77 percent of its total export.
The CNS further affirmed that transportation along waterways could generate about 1.2 Billion Dollars annually if well harnessed and listed other associated factors such as tourism, agriculture, and power generation that could also enable economic growth and development. The CNS however regretted that despite the enormous benefits in the maritime environment, the sector is filled with diverse threats most of which are rooted in complex socio- economic situations such as unemployment, poverty, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, communal conflicts, piracy, armed robbery on sea, oil theft and pipeline vandalism among others. He added that all these crimes, if they remain unchecked, could disrupt economic activities and deprive the nation of much needed revenue.
Admiral Ogalla hinted that the NN strategic and operational response to maritime threats include conceptualizing multi- layers Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy that projects power across a wide spectrum ranging from backwaters, territorial waters, exclusive economic zone to include out of area and land operations. In addition to that, the CNS said the NN conducts surveillance of Nigerian maritime space using modern technology like Regional Maritime Awareness Capability centres and FALCON EYE alignment systems. He emphasised that the surveillance systems enable real-time monitoring of vessels to identify involvement in illegal activities. “Our efforts through surveillance have detected several vessels attempting to load crude oil and LNG at offshore terminals without requisite approval. The NN has also acquired several capital ships, boats, and air assets, including deployment of indigenous manufactured special duty boats, which have also significantly strengthened the NN response capability in maritime crime,” he added.
The CNS also highlighted the importance of effective law enforcement strategy for effective prosecution of maritime offenders and advocacy campaigns for community support in NN operations. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the NN with strategic guidance that is assisting in carrying out its constitutional roles.
The Commandant National Defence College, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu in his remarks, thanked the CNS for delivering the lecture in person despite his tight schedule. The Commandant also said the lecture exposes the participants to efforts of NN towards safeguarding the maritime environment of the country for economic growth and development. Admiral Olotu extols the strategic leadership capacity of the CNS, which he said is exemplary, people centric and yielded results that not only chased criminals out of the maritime space but also ensures that they remain out of that space.
