The United States Consul-General, Claire Pierangelo, has said West Africa loses about 800,000 tons of fish a year, worth almost $2 billion in gross revenue to illegal activities by both foreign and domestic vessels.
Pierangelo stated this in Lagos as the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, the first ship permanently assigned to Africa, arrived in Lagos as part of the U.S. government’s support to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Consul-General said Nigerian waters are at the centre of the Gulf of Guinea, a vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean stretching from Senegal to Angola, which is the most dangerous part of the world for sailors, accounting for almost all kidnappings at sea in recent years.
“Ship visits like this one clearly demonstrate America’s continued dedication to our partners in the Gulf of Guinea as they strive for security of their resources, their economy, and their people,” Pierangelo said.
On his part, Hershel “Woody” Williams Captain, Chad Graham, said the U.S is here to train and work with the Nigerian Navy on anti-piracy, tactics, techniques and procedures.
Graham disclosed that the U.S. investments and donations to the Nigerian military is worth more than $559 million, part of which is the naval coast guard transfers renamed NNS Okpabana and NNS Thunder.