NIMASA secures support of Chatham House to escalate security issues in the Gulf of Guinea at UN
By Funso OLOJO
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) has secured the support of Chatham House, London to raise awareness on the issue of security in the Gulf of Guinea at the United Nations’ Security Council.
The milestone decision was reached in London between Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of (NIMASA) and Dr. Alex Vines, Director of the Africa Programme at Chatham House.
The NIMASA DG, who went to the Chatham House to intimate the management of the British think tank institution on the progress made by NIMASA in combating piracy and sea robbery in the region, was accompanied by his team which included Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organization, Bwala William.
The Agency and Chatham House have also commenced collaboration to convene a meeting of international stakeholders from both the public and private sectors in Nigeria, with the aim of developing a position paper on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking shortly after the meeting, the NIMASA DG emphasized the importance of effective international partnerships to sustain security in the Gulf of Guinea.
“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.” Mobereola stated via his official X handle @MobereolaD.
The Royal Institute of International Affairs, commonly known as Chatham House, is a British think tank based in London, England.
Its stated mission is “to help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous, and just world”. It is the originator of the Chatham House Rule and has been a source of independent analysis, and trusted dialogue for one hundred years.