Support has been pledged by the European Union (EU) for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission with 30 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) and security equipment to combat maritime crime within the coast of its member countries.
The Trumpet learnt that the boats and equipment were provided under the EU-funded ECOWAS project tagged: Support For West Africa’s Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS) Project, a multicomponent, regional initiative implemented in all 15 ECOWAS member states.
The ECOWAS commission organised a seminar in Abuja to discuss with member countries on modalities for allocating the equipment for effective operations. Head of ECOWAS Regional Security Division, Abdourahmane Dieng, said insecurity had been one of the most persistent and intractable threat to maritime communities and economic prosperity of West Africa.
Dieng, however, said West African countries needed coordinated responses to tackle the attacks, piracy and robberies against vessels.
“We have developed an ECOWAS integrated maritime strategy around five pillars to ensure security in the 15 member states within ECOWAS maritime domain. We have reinforced our capacity in managing our maritime environment and also developing our capacity in the blue economy and our culture.
“We have been receiving support from our partners, the main partners coming in is the European Union and we are also here with SWAIMS to capacitate the member states by providing them with the Rigid Inflatable boats to allow member states to fight against illegal fishing through some paroling in the maritime domain.
“All member states are represented by their relevant agencies and representatives to discuss draft and agreement for the sharing of the boats,” Dieng said. SWAIMS Representative, Dr. Axel Klien, said the boats would be provided to the Navy and coast guards of all 12 coastal ECOWAS member states and provision of equipment to the maritime operation centres.
This, he said, would help to curb maritime crimes and piracy, which had ravaged the coastal lines of ECOWAS countries. He added that with the different types of maritime crimes, such aspiracy, armed robbery, illegal fishing and trade in illicit goods, the coat guards, police, law enforcement agencies and prosecuting services need to be provided with equipment.
He said there is need to build on the successes of the different efforts by navies, coast guards and international partners in reducing the numbers of piracy incidents by strengthening the security system that is in place presently.
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Dieng maintained that international cooperation remained critical, which explained why ECOWAS has been assisting its multinational coordination centres in the exchange of information and coordination of expenses.
The President of Camoes Institute, Joao Almeida, who lauded the programme said, the institution was excited to have been charged by the European Union to implement the project.
Almedia expressed optimism that the boats and equipment, when handed over would achieve its purpose of combatting all forms of maritime crimes in the region.
