ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE
The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Rear Admiral Obinwanne Egbuchulam, says sea robbery, piracy, oil theft, sabotage and other criminal activities are the biggest threats to the nation’s maritime domain.
He revealed this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, while delivering the 7th annual public lecture of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayelsa Council, with the theme, ‘Maritime Security: Implications for Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry’.
Egbuchulam stressed the need for collaborative efforts and practical measures to secure the country’s maritime environment.
The naval chief said, “The myriads of challenges such as sabotage, illegal oil activities, militancy, piracy, sea robbery and disruptive community activities pose the major threats to the nation’s maritime security.
“As a result of the threats, the activities of oil and gas operations with resultant financial losses are estimated at over $2.7bn.
“With the hydrocarbon industry which is the main revenue earner for the country relying much on the maritime industry, it is therefore imperative to tackle the security challenges in the sector to safeguard the country’s economy.”
Egbuchulam said in 2020 alone, there were over 44 vessel attacks by pirates with 487 oil thieves suspects arrested, 168 illegal refineries destroyed, 393 wooden boats seized.
The FOC, who was represented by the Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship, NNS Soroh, Commodore Patrick Effah, said in order to ensure that trade and commerce takes place within the nation’s maritime environment, and by extension the Gulf of Guinea unhindered, the Nigerian Navy had been involved in over 24 operations in 2021 alone to combat illegal activities.
Egbuchulam explained that with the acquisition of more war ships, helicopters and other equipment, the incidences of sea robbery and piracy along the maritime environment had been drastically reduced, stabilizing security in the region.
Also speaking, Chairman on the occasion, King Bubaraye Dakolo, said maritime insecurity was a serious issue that needed to be tackled with all seriousness.
Dakolo, who is the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, however, stressed the need for a holistic approach such as making the economy functional to create jobs for the people.
He rationalised that approach was the best way to address the security challenges facing the country as well as the maritime environment.
In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Mr Ayibaina Duba, commended the FCC for organising the lecture that focused on maritime security and its implications for the oil and gas industry.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr Chris Eze, said the focus of this year’s lecture was aimed at calling attention of stakeholders to take action to secure the nation’s waterways.
On his part, Head of Environmental Right Action, Bayelsa Office, Mr Alagoa Morris Alagoa, said because of kidnapping and other criminal activities, people don’t move freely on the waterways anymore, unlike before.
He advocated a holistic approach to tackle the menace in order to give the people some respite.
Goodwill messages came from academics, activists, the State Commissioner of Police, government officials and the Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, YECCIMA.