NIMASA Partners Navy, Air Force To Fight Oil Theft, Piracy

To fight oil thieves and pirates on our territorial waters, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is partnering the Nigerian Navy and Nigeria Airforce, The Nation reports.

It has also acquired some surveillance equipment to monitor the waterways and secure the ports. In furtherance of the engagement, NIMASA now operates a 24-hour surveillance regime, capturing vessels in the nation’s maritime domain irrespective of weather conditions. More than 5,000 ships ply the territorial waters yearly. Some vessels, sources said, violate international laws by engaging in illegal activities, including stealing of crude oil and other criminal activities.

Its Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the agency archives profile analyses, which include the flag, registered owner, operator, beneficial owner and movement of ships over a specified period. A senior official of the Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT), who craved anonymity, said the nation loses 200,000 barrels of crude oil to theft. He added that; “The Air Force has acquired three maritime 128-6, F27 and ATR-42-500 jets and other planes to monitor the activities of oil thieves and other criminals.”

Source: EnergryMix