Fashola Seeks FG’s Assistance To Check Piracy

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has appealed to the Federal Government to assist the state in checking the activities of pirates on the waterways.

The governor made the appeal when the Senate Committee on Maritime Transport, led by Hajia Zainab Kure, paid him a courtesy visit in Ikeja, recently.

He said that the activities of pirates who attacked trawlers and passengers on the state’s waterways had been on the rise lately and that the situation had impacted negatively on the economy of the state.

‘ The activities of pirates on the coasts of Lagos are costing the state a lot. Fishing trawlers and maritime operators are subject of attacks by pirates on a regular basis.

“As we lose fishing opportunities because of this illicit act, jobs are lost in the process. And if this illicit act continues, there will be a shortage of fish in the market and hoarding will thrive,” he said.

The governor urged the Federal Government to strengthen security on Lagos waterways by deploying more security agents to constantly patrol the coastline.

The governor also urged the Federal Government to help the state deal with the problem of coastal erosion caused by abandoned vessels and ship wrecks on its coast line.

He said that coastal erosion at Alpha Beach recently sacked communities and displaced thousands of residents.

Fashola called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to work more closely with the state government in removing wrecked vessels to address the problem of coastal erosion.

Earlier, Kure said the committee was in Lagos to oversee the activities of government agencies in the Maritime sector and promised the Senate‘s support for efforts to address some of the problems.