Protocol,
Let me begin by conveying President Bola Tinubu’s warm greetings and apologies for not being able to be with you, due to the exigencies of affairs of state. I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, and the people of the Republic of Ghana for the warm welcome accorded to the Nigerian delegation since our arrival in the coastal city of Accra.
I wish to also thank the Committee of Experts and its leadership for the perspicacious consideration of the report of the Executive Secretariat and recommendations thereof.
I also commend the Executive Secretary and his team for their efforts to deliver and implement the mandate of the Commission with respect to the promotion of a safe and secure region.
Nigeria aligns itself with the theme of this year’s Summit, “Building a Secure and Prosperous Gulf of Guinea Region for Sustainable Development”. Accordingly, I reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to the goals, objectives and vision for the establishment of the Commission, and support for the work of the Secretariat.
Nigeria regrets the delay in payment of its financial contribution in 2024 and the arrears in 2023. This is primarily due to the vicissitudes of governmental transition, following elections in 2023. However, this is currently being addressed and I would like to assure you that the process will be completed Tout de suite.
Your Excellencies,
It appears that the pursuit of too many mechanisms with very little resources are beginning to distract from the goals and objectives of the Commission. It would therefore be pertinent for the Assembly to consider and approve strategies for the accomplishment of three teleological goals of the Commission, namely safety and security, sustainable development, and protection of the environment.
With regards to safety and security, it is important to harmonize an effective mechanism backed by legally binding agreements to roll back criminality, bunkering, illegal trade migration, and unreported fishing. The internalization of the Yaoundé code of conduct with our national legislations, therefore, presents the region with an enforceable, legally binding agreement, for our water ways and seas.
There is also a need for concrete measurable timelines for the exploration of the rich natural resources of our deep waters. As such, the Commission requires a more constructive approach to building relationships with international, regional and subregional partners towards enhancing its capabilities to adopt technologies and knowhow for the exploration and subsequent exploitation of the natural resources in the blue economy of the Gulf of Guinea.
Similarly, the Commission should make more efforts to safeguard the environment and protect the region from environmental degradation, guard against dumping of radioactive material and nuclear waste. Guarding against pollution by ships is another priority.
Nigeria calls for the endorsement of the initiative of the Chiefs of the Navies and the Coast Guards in the establishment of the Combined Maritime task Force to promote synergy in the region.
Your Excellencies,
The importance and significance of Gulf of Guinea to Africa cannot be over emphasized. To this end, Nigeria takes this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the work and mandate of the Gulf of Guinea Commission.
As a demonstration to our commitment to the Gulf of Guinea Commission, Nigeria’s National Assembly passed the Suppression of Piracy Other Maritime Offences Act in 2019 to prevent and suppress Piracy, Armed Robbery and any other unlawful acts against any vessels unlawfully operating in the Gulf Region.
Nigeria continues to deploy significant resources towards tackling piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. This has resulted in a significant containment of threats. We are proud to state that since 2022 till date, there have been no incidents of piracy recorded in Nigeria’s territorial waters.
Your Excellencies,
Implementation of the suppression of piracy law has resulted in convictions and a clear demonstration of its effectiveness in combating piracy and other maritime crimes. These successes have improved Nigeria’s international image and highlighted her determination to fight crime in her territorial waters and Gulf of Guinea.
Your Excellencies, to counter the soft bigotry of low expectations, it is imperative that we consider setting up a specialized court in our region to try maritime piracy cases. Piracy is regarded as an international criminal offense, international jurisdictions are replete with examples of bringing offenders to book.
The time is apt for the GGC to step forward and lead the way in establishing a specialized court to handle the trials of maritime crimes. This requires agreements with regional states and setting up processes to facilitate the trial of offenders in the court of competent jurisdiction that we would establish
I thank you for listening.
