Gulf of Guinea security: NIMASA, Chatham House to collaborate against piracy at UN Security Council

By Ezurike ugochukwu

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) and Chatham House London have come to terms over issues of Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea resolved to prioritise same at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) this month,agreeing that progress made by NIMASA in combating piracy and sea robbery in the region are outstanding.

NIMASA Director General Dayo Mobereola, in his X handle, last Sunday, indicated that the decision was reached at a session between NIMASA and Dr. Alex Vines, Director of the Africa Programme at Chatham House, London.
Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organization, Bwala William.

Accordingly, the DG , stated that the Agency and Chatham House have also commenced collaboration to convene a meeting of international stakeholders from both the public and private sector in Nigeria, with the aim of developing a position paper on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

the NIMASA DG emphasized the importance of effective international partnership to sustain security in the Gulf of Guinea.

He further wrote, “We had a very fruitful discussion with the team at Chatham House. The decision to engage the UN Security Council is to ensure they are well informed about the progress made so far in terms of security in the Gulf of Guinea.

We also need an independent analysis of the security situation in the Gulf of Guinea and how best to transform the gains in terms of enhanced security, into tangible economic benefits such as reduction in the cost of all Nigerian Bound freight and issues bothering on payment of war risk insurance premium for Nigerian bound vessels.

The coming on board of Chatham House will serve as a catalyst in developing our Blue Economy.”