Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja emerged as the new Chair of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, GGC.

At the 4th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the GGC, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo called on member states to urgently address the socio-economic and security challenges facing the commission.

He said the members would achieve this by collectively taking measures to check violations of domestic and international treaties in the Gulf.

The vice president identified the challenges facing the commission to include a rise in maritime insurance premiums for vessels coming into the Gulf, increased threats and reduced commercial traffic to the region as well as unregulated and unreported fishing.

He also charged the member states to take measures to reduce pollution and environmental degradation in the Gulf of Guinea.

“In conformity with the theme of the 4th Ordinary Session which is; “A Vibrant Gulf of Guinea Region for sustainable Development’’, let us renew our commitment to making the Gulf of Guinea more effective and a truly vibrant partner in all our efforts, be it regional, national or international, to ensure a zone of peace, security and sustainable development for our countries, our peoples and other stakeholders in the region.’’

He, however, lauded the individual efforts of some of the member states who improved the capacities and capability of their Navy and other relevant organisations to enable them perform their duties more effectively.

The vice president commended ECOWAS and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS/CEEAC) for establishing maritime regional centres for maritime security.

“This effort is capped by the establishment of the inter-regional coordination centre based in Yaoundé, Cameroun, as the collaborative link between the two maritime regional centres led by ECOWAS and ECCAS.’’

He called on the member states to always fulfil their financial dues and obligations to the commission to ensure effective operation and performance of the Commission.

The vice president, who lauded staff of the GGC secretariat for their untiring efforts in sustaining the commission, congratulated Ghana for being a new member of the Gulf of Guinea Commission.

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser to the President, Babagana Monguno, observed that the meeting was a framework for consultations among the countries of the GCC.

According to him, current situation in the Gulf of Guinea region especially the surge in illegal activities of piracy, illicit drugs, arms and human trafficking, illegal immigration, environmental pollution and degradation calls for greater attention from member countries to curb these activities.

“Suffice it to say that maritime security and economic prosperity are interdependent and mutually re-enforcing.’’

The NSA maintained that an improvement of Maritime security could positively contribute to increased national, regional and continental stability and by the same token make a sustainable contribution to global security.

He noted that Nigeria on its part had continued to develop the capacity of its armed forces particularly the Navy and other Maritime agencies to effectively tackle these challenges.

He said: “Indeed, the surveillance capabilities of the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency are being developed to ensure a secure environment within the domain as well as in the Gulf of Guinea.

“Similarly, the Nigerian Navy has been maintaining a strong presence in Maritime area with a band configuration and operations capabilities to deal with surface, air and underwater threats.

“In addition, the Nigerian Navy has been cooperating with neighbouring countries and allies in Nigeria’s Maritime area of interest with a view to pursue security and safety.’’

He said other measures being implemented include: employment of the robust maritime domain awareness capability through the employment of the original maritime awareness capability and the Falcon Eye Project; activation of a Naval Taskforce to combat piracy and related attacks on shipping and oil and gas infrastructure.

Others, according to him, are the establishment of 37 check points by the Nigerian Navy to ensure continuous presence and monitoring of crude oil thefts in the Niger Delta area; the conduct of regular sea exercises by the Nigerian Navy such as exercise Eagle Eye, to improve its state of readiness and proficiency.

Mr. Monguno disclosed that Nigeria had also prepared the draft anti-piracy bill to give effect to the relevant provisions of the United Nations Conventions of the Law of the Sea of 1982 and the Convention for the Suppression of Illegal Acts at Sea 1982 and its protocol of 2005 to punish and deter piracy and other maritime crimes.

“Nigeria has ascribed to the continent’s maritime charter on maritime security safety and development in Africa, this was done on 15th of October, 2016 with the aim of strengthening the inter-agency for national coordination and cooperation to tackle maritime issues for the region.

“Nigeria has also ratified The United Nations Organised Crime Convention which enjoins parties to criminalize practices and combat that subject human beings to all forms of exploitation.

“Nigeria has adopted a strategic framework such as the 2015 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy and the Yaoundé Code of Conduct for the repression of piracy and other illicit maritime activities within the Gulf of Guinea.’’

He noted that the security challenges confronting the member states of the GGC which had continued to impact negatively on the development of the region, called for concerted and unrelenting efforts by all stakeholders.

The NSA observed that the Gulf of Guinea provided a verifiable platform to tackling these numerous security challenges.

He, therefore, called for increased cooperation and collaboration among member states as well as support for the GGC to enhance its capacity to deliver on its mandate.

The Executive Secretary of the GGC, Florentine Ukonga, called on member states to support the proposed Revitalisation Strategy of the GGC, saying that under the proposal the secretariat would establish five new committees for effective management of the commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that members of the GGC, which was established by the Treaty signed in Libreville, Gabon, on July 3, 2001 included Cameroon, Togo, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe and Ghana.

(NAN)

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/250410-nigeria-emerges-new-chair-ggc.html#

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Others, according to him, are the establishment of 37 check points by the Nigerian Navy to ensure continuous presence and monitoring of crude oil thefts in the Niger Delta area

This is pretty ineffective and draining on ND residents. The best thing the government can do is to to implement digital metering technology to track oil in real time. This wack a mole approach won't work. Fun fact Nigeria doesn't actually know its daily output for this reason. This is also why crude theft is so easy.

Next the Federal Government should consider having coast guard. Alot of the crime happens close to 10 miles out to sea. It includes stuff like robbery, extortion and kidnapping. The coast guard can be rolled into navy or any number of security agencies.

This is good news.

GOOD TO KNOW

Congratulations to Nigeria !

na Nigeria dem see pick? a country that can't boast of 12 hrss of electricity a day. has no business being leader anywhere



a country without good roads, electricity, pipe born water, jobs,

a country that is riddled with sarakis and melayes and okorochas

Good

Nice

This never happened during GEJ regime... Kudos PMB

Nice....

It's a boring topic

K

Any benefits of that to Nigeria?

orait..

just lead well.

Lol

Nigerians does well outside the shore of this nation
He should live outside the country while chairing the Gulf of Guinea Commission

lordkush:
na Nigeria dem see pick? a country that can't boast of 12 hrss of electricity a day. has no business being leader anywhere



a country without good roads, electricity, pipe born water, jobs,

a country that is riddled with sarakis and melayes and okorochas

Your names explains your comment

All na talk

mikeycharles:
This never happened during GEJ regime... Kudos PMB

And When Naija Was Ranked 3rd In Open Defecation What Was Ur Take On Dat Dude?

Blue3k:
The vice president identified the challenges facing the commission to include a rise in maritime insurance premiums for vessels coming into the Gulf,

The VP is right on this aspect, insurance companies rips clients off anytime the GGA is mentioned as the geographical trade zone.
Thanks to the handy work of the Joint War Committee (JWC) of Lloyd´s, sitting in London, who carry out the relevant risk assessments periodically and decide whether a country or area is to be considered as “high risk” and thus include or exclude from the list.

They had their last meeting in September 2017 and decided to maintain the list of December 2015 having the Gulf of Guinea, but only the waters of the Togolese, Beninese and Nigerian Exclusive Economic Zones north of Latitude 3° N on the listed areas.

Now, that is very bad for companies operating in that area, additional premiums on war, hull and machinery, K & R, crew cover risk is being charged by owners of crafts to charterers, which has its effect of making our deepwaters unripe for business in this challenging times.

who be this one kwa?

mikeycharles:
This never happened during GEJ regime... Kudos PMB

Sorry son, this topic eludes your present state of education.
This is that type of topic that comes on front page with one page and stays on one page till it leaves front page
Go back to romance and save yourself the shame

deepwater:


The VP is right on this aspect, insurance companies rips clients off anytime the GGA is mentioned as the geographical trade zone.
Thanks to the handy work of the Joint War Committee (JWC) of Lloyd´s, sitting in London, who carry out the relevant risk assessments periodically and decide whether a country or area is to be considered as “high risk” and thus include or exclude from the list.

They had their last meeting in September 2017 and decided to maintain the list of December 2015 having the Gulf of Guinea, but only the waters of the Togolese, Beninese and Nigerian Exclusive Economic Zones north of Latitude 3° N on the listed areas.

Now, that is very bad for companies operating in that area, additional premiums on war, hull and machinery, K & R, crew cover risk is being charged by owners of crafts to charterers, which has its effect of making our deepwaters unripe for business in this challenging times.

who be this one kwa?

Sorry son, this topic eludes your present state of education.
This is that type of topic that comes on front page with one page and stays on one page till it leaves front page
Go back to romance and save yourself the shame

Says the person whose username is deep water, you really are in deep waters you giagantic ignoramus

mikeycharles:
Says the person whose username is deep water, you really are in deep waters you giagantic ignoramus

stay on the topic son, i have some free time to eradicate the ignorance in you!

i challenge you to stay on the topic and prove your point
lets see who is ignorant
like i said, this topic eludes your present state of education

deepwater:
stay on the topic son, i have some free time to eradicate the ignorance in you!

i challenge you to stay on the topic and prove your point
lets see who is ignorant
like i said, this topic eludes your present state of education

And so does your stupidity

deepwater:


The VP is right on this aspect, insurance companies rips clients off anytime the GGA is mentioned as the geographical trade zone.
Thanks to the handy work of the Joint War Committee (JWC) of Lloyd´s, sitting in London, who carry out the relevant risk assessments periodically and decide whether a country or area is to be considered as “high risk” and thus include or exclude from the list.

They had their last meeting in September 2017 and decided to maintain the list of December 2015 having the Gulf of Guinea, but only the waters of the Togolese, Beninese and Nigerian Exclusive Economic Zones north of Latitude 3° N on the listed areas.

Now, that is very bad for companies operating in that area, additional premiums on war, hull and machinery, K & R, crew cover risk is being charged by owners of crafts to charterers, which has its effect of making our deepwaters unripe for business in this challenging times.

Finally some had something interesting to add to topic. It's funny anytime I post threads like this it's pretty quite since the can't tribalize or be partisan on. Then they wonder why politicians can easily appeal to their vanity.

Anyway i dont think the danger charge is undeserved. Just a fee days agi we heard of kidnapping off of Bonny. I do feel the navy needs more funding so they can get more boats. The price tag worth cost considering the lives and money on table.

Blue3k:


Finally some had something interesting to add to topic. It's funny anytime I post threads like this it's pretty quite since the can't tribalize or be partisan on. Then they wonder why politicians can easily appeal to their vanity.

Anyway i dont think the danger charge is undeserved. Just a fee days agi we heard of kidnapping off of Bonny. I do feel the navy needs more funding so they can get more boats. The price tag worth cost considering the lives and money on table.

Ironically the number of gun boat and navy presence is much more in the ND region than the west (outside bar down to Apapa and tincan port), still at that the ND waters are still trouble waters.

Lagos Anchorage is relatively safer than the Onne Anchorage, here you will see community youths boarding ships unannounced to collect berthing fee and the NN ships are safely afloat at the quayside with a blind eye.

Truth is that the security in that region has been compromised from the scratch.

From the business point of view, investors would happy have their vessels trade in Angola than Nigeria until we stop this madness of piracy and hijack of water crafts.

As per your last sentence, the reverse is the case. The pirates are fully aware that any trading ship in that region is fully and additionally insured which means more money

You see it doesn't solve anything.
Get the youths engaged, enough of preaching entrepreneurship and self employment by the government. Not every one is cut out for that

Nigeria IS Gulf Of Guinea Commission!