The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stressed the strategic importance of security agencies to the achievement of safe and secure shipping and a viable and vibrant maritime sector for the country’s benefits.
According to the Head, Corporate Communication of the agency, Mr Isichei Osamgbi, Dakuku stated this while receiving the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Peter John Dauke at the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos.
He said: “We cannot be talking about merchant shipping without security both onshore and offshore, therefore we have to work with not only the Nigerian Navy but all security Agencies in order to ensure that criminals have no hiding place both on land and at sea because a large percentage of crime committed at sea are planned on land”.
According to Dakuku, the recently approved maritime security framework by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would aid NIMASA and the Army in the setting up of a smooth working relationship, particularly the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, which cover Ogun and Lagos states.
In his response, the GOC commended Dr. Peterside for his strides since assumption of office. He said the Division is fully open to partnership with NIMASA, adding that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had directed that all commanding officers to ensure an improved civilian/military relationship.
NIMASA recently renewed its MoU with the Nigerian Navy and has similar MoUs with the Nigerian Airforce and the Nigerian Police.
