The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Babalola Ogunjimi, has called for the collaboration of stakeholders in the maritime environment to fight criminality in Nigeria’s waterways.

Ogunjimi, who made the call at a meeting with stakeholders in Calabar, said that various security agencies operating in the maritime environment had not been properly coordinated.

“If we are able to properly coordinate all the security agencies operating in the maritime environment, the security problems in our waterways will be a thing of the past.”

He said there was urgent need for serious collaborative effort by stakeholders to stem the rising wave of criminality along the waterways, adding that Nigerian Navy could not do it alone.

“Considering that it is near impossible for a single organisation to tackle issues bordering on security, the Nigerian Navy would welcome your contributions towards forming a common front against and synergy to combat the emergise criminal activities

“This is with the view of making it safe and secure for economic activities to flourish.”

The commander said Nigeria’s waterways, oil fields and platform had been saturated with criminals, adding that it had serious economic implications for the country.

“It is obvious that our waterways, oil fields and platforms have been virtually overwhelmed by criminal activities perpetrated by enemies of Nigeria.

“The negative economic, social and political implications of these nefarious acts have taken great tolls on our national development.”

Ogunjimi said that no meaningful gains could be made by maritime operators without a secure and conducive environment.

He said that more than 50 per cent of Nigeria’s oil income came from the command’s operational area, adding efforts must be made to rescue the situation.

“Criminals are neither ghosts nor spirits, they are our children and relations and that is why we must find solution to this problem.”

Ogunjimi said that one of the challenges facing the Navy was funding, adding that with proper funds, the Force would be well equipped to tackle the situation.

Contributing, Mr Tunde Ayeni from Ocean Marine Services, urged the Federal Government to properly fund the Navy, to enable it to secure the territorial waters of the country.

“The Nigerian Navy needs proper funding in order to enable it deal with the challenges of criminality in the country’s territorial waters.”

Mr Patrick Odiong from Baseforce Nigeria Limited, called for the establishment of Coastal Guard in Nigeria’s waterways.

“This is to complement the works of the Navy.”

Many stakeholders in the maritime industry attended the forum.