DOGARA therefore called for the strengthening of security on Nigeria’s territorial waters through collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and other relevant agencies to stem the tide of piracy.
DOGARA made the call during a public hearing on a bill for an act to amend the Maritime Operations Coordinating Board Act and reconstitute the Maritime Operations Coordinating Board for effective control of all maritime operations in Nigeria.
The objectives of the amendment bill also include creating what is to be known as Maritime Security Fund and to establish anti-piracy offences.
The House of Representatives Speaker observed that poor funding had been a major constraint for the Nigerian Navy in securing the waterways.
YAKUBU DOGARA is of the view that the creation of the Maritime Security Fund would go a long way in providing the much needed funding to enable the Navy discharge its duties of patrolling the Joint Development Zone between Sao Tome and Principe and Nigeria, and the entire Gulf of Guinea.
