Govt inaugurates body on maritime coordination

THE Federal Government, yesterday, in Abuja, inaugurated a 13-member Inter-Agency Maritime Operations Coordination Committee (IMOCC), as part of efforts to enhance safety in the nation's maritime sector.The committee, which was formed to provide synergy among agencies operating in the sector, was inaugurated by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan.The President said the committee was part of the government's efforts, aimed at providing comprehensive security for the maritime sector in view of its importance to the nation's economic growth, even ashe lamented lack of synergy among the various agencies operating in the maritime sector.Over the years, the various maritime agencies in the country have operated fairly independent of each other, creating lack of inter-agency cooperation and coordination of efforts.'This has unfortunately led to gaps, which criminal elements have taken advantage of to perpetrate illegal activities by engaging in unlawful activities such as under declaration and non-declaration of cargo quantities for appropriate billing.'Through smuggling, illegal entry of ships, pipeline vandalism and oil thefts, piracy and other violent acts, criminals have inflicted colossal losses on our economy. This has not been in the best interest of the nation.'I therefore, urge you to pursue your mandate with a patriotic fervor, in the interest of this country.'Jonathan charged all agencies in the industry to shun rivalry and embrace cooperation and collaboration, as there was an inextricable linkage between maritime security and national prosperity.He also tasked them to provide monthly reports on the status of the maritime sector to the Presidency and directed the committee members to be sensitive to some operational guidelines, which he enumerated as the need for a robust electronic surveillance system; the pulling together of platforms from all relevant agencies to establish physical presence and contact on Nigeria's water and with vessels.
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