6th July, 2012
By Esther Komolafe
The Government has defended the N3.238 billion contracts for acquisition of sophisticated security boats for insulating the Nigerian coastal waters from the menace of sea robbers and pirates.
Transport minister, Mr. Suleiman Umar said at a media briefing in Abuja recently that the Federal Executive Council (FEC)’s decision to approve the sum was borne out of the continued pirate attacks on ships along the nation’s territorial waters.
According to him the activities of the unscrupulous elements along the countries inland and coastal waters, have hit an all-time high, hence the urgent need to arrest the situation.
He said Nigeria is a maritime country having been signatory to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) treaty and other maritime conventions.
The approval of the patrol and security boats became imperative “in view of compelling security challenges”, he said, adding that the new international guidelines and security regime required an enhanced comfort to shipping.” He added that boosting maritime security was strategic to the nation’s economic development.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had recently approved about N12.14 billion contracts for the provision of maritime security and to ease transportation along the nation’s coastal waterways .
Specifically, the council, presided over by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, approved a total of N3.238 billion for procurement of six patrol and security boats for the use by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in the Lagos pilotage district.