Bayelsa, NIMASA partner on security, others
Bayelsa State government has entered into a partnership with the
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to boost
maritime trade and stem the cycle of criminalities in and around the
state.
The Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who spoke in Lagos on Monday, said
he was at NIMASA to facilitate the cordial relationship between the
agency and the state, and protect maritime environment to create
employment and boost revenue.
Bemoaning the high rate of kidnapping, piracy and other maritime
crimes in the state, the governor sought the support of the agency’s
Director-General (DG), Dr Bashir Jamoh, in ensuring security for
maritime operations in the state and region.
To this end, the governor sought increased presence of the agency in
the state and urged the DG to open an office in the state capital,
Yenagoa, to curtail maritime criminalities and protect maritime assets
of the state.
The governor said local government headquarters and local government
areas in the state are accessible by water.
“And until this moment, there are three local government areas that
you can only access through water. You cannot access them by land.
Therefore, I believe that this agency and Bayelsa State are twins. We
are brother and sister and that is why we need to join hands together
to strengthen the maritime domain of this country. We need you and we
also believe that you need Bayelsa State,” the governor said.