Maritime Security: The United States Coast Guard commends Nigeria

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

The United States Coast Guard, USCG, has praised the Nigerian government’s efforts to combat criminality in Nigeria’s maritime domain and, by extension, the Gulf of Guinea, GoG.

Captain Brian Lisko of the US Department of State, who made the commendation during a fact-finding visit to the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, also praised the Agency for its role in achieving a strong regional collaboration to improve safety in the GoG.

He stated that the US Coast Guard wishes to improve collaboration with NIMASA and other relevant agencies in order to maintain the momentum of recent success, which has resulted in one year of piracy-free Nigerian waters.

“We must commend NIMASA’s leading role in reducing piracy in the region through the deployment of its Deep Blue Project as well as its partnership with other maritime nations,” he says. The international community has taken notice, and we encourage you to continue.”

Bashir Jamoh, Director General of NIMASA, noted that the USCG had previously visited the Agency as a partner in progress, while calling for greater involvement in areas of technical cooperation and joint exercises.

“The USCG had visited Nigeria to conduct assessment tours of the country’s numerous ports and jetties to determine the International Ships and Ports Facility Security, ISPS compliance levels,” he explained. We welcome the return of these visits, and we anticipate that you will increase your technical assistance.”