Governments of states along Nigeria’s coastal lines have called for harmonised maritime laws to strengthen security across the waterways and improve on cross-border trade between the nation’s coastal communities and neighbouring countries
John Akinduro, the spokesman to Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
The states including Ondo, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa, made the call in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, at a meeting under the aegis of the Nigerian International Coastal Border Platform are
In a communique issued at the end of the platform’s inaugural summit, held at Ceedapeg Hotel in Uyo on Friday, the forum resolved that all Nigerian laws, including the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, should be harmonized for more efficiency in implementation, calling for more awareness on maritime safety and security, to foster a culture of compliance with national and international laws.
It recommended that the country takes advantage of the African Integrated Border Governance Strategy and the African Continental Free Trade Zone to boost cross-border trade between coastal communities and neighbouring countries.
The forum also asked that a percentage of revenue from maritime taxes and crude oil exports be dedicated to coastal security funding.
In most states of the federation, border matters are usually coordinated from the office of the deputy governor.
Friday’s event marked the beginning of a multisectoral approach to tackling issues in the coastal areas, as it had in attendance delegates from seven coastal states, including; Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, Dr Olayide Adelami, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele and Sir Monday Onyeme; Deputy Governors of Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Cross River, Ogun and Delta states respectively while Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos state was represented by the permanent secretary in his office, Mrs Mobolaji Daba.
According to the chairman of the forum and deputy governor of Bayelsa state, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the platform became necessary to rally governments of the coastal states to jointly address several issues that are peculiar to the areas.
He said, “In the coastal states we have a peculiar problem of ocean surge that is affecting our coastal communities and these communities are being washed away under our eyes.
“We have the issues of sea piracy and encroachment into our waterways in the name of fishing. When we talk about our people in the coastal communities; to what extent are they being taken care of, to what extent are social amenities being provided for them and others who live around these areas.
“To what extent do they feel they are Nigerians, not citizens of Equatorial Guinea, Benin republic, Ghana and Cameroon. So, they have appetite that we need to satisfy and that is why we have decided to gather here today”
Declaring the event open, governor of Akwa Ibom state, Pastor Umo Eno, expressed delight at the physical presence of almost all the deputy governors of the coastal states, which he said is indicative of the seriousness attached to the issues of the coastal communities.
Pastor Eno said the theme of the summit, which is ‘Enhancing the potential of International Coastal Border Communities for National and Recreational Development: The Role of Stakeholders’, has a deep national security implications.
“We, as a people must continually explore ways to maintain and deepen peace with our neighboring countries and even our states, integrate our people living in riverine communities and provide them with essential amenities like schools, medical facilities and other essentials of life that will help them survive and continue to thrive in harmony.
In his goodwill message, the deputy governor of Ondo state, Dr Olayide Adelami, reiterated the readiness of the Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led government to support every development initiatives, and cooperate with other coastal states to address key issues affecting the areas.
While appreciating the dedication of his colleague deputy governors to the cause, Dr Adelami charged the forum to look deeply into harnessing human and natural resources to create opportunities for the inhabitants of the coastal communities and the country as a whole.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the growth of the blue economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The summit also featured paper presentations by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who was represented by Rear Admiral D.M Ndanusa, Director General of the National Boundary Commission, Surv. Adamu Adaji, former Vice Chancellor of University of Uyo and Professor of law, Enefiok Essien, SAN, among others.
