Nigeria’s maritime surveillance is poor - maritime expert.

A maritime expert and Chairman, Port Consultative Council (PCC), Otunba Kunle Folarin has adduced inadequate surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime space to the bane of the nation’s economy.

Otunba said this at an interactive event in Lagos recently. He said that the surveillance of maritime space was a serious issue that the government has to give an urgent consideration.

This, he said is responsible for infiltration of Nigeria’s territorial waters by foreigners who come to fish without necessary certification.

He quipped that investment in the fishing sub-sector had dropped drastically from 125 fishing companies about ten years ago to 25 as at today.

Otunba Folarin said, “For diplomatic reasons I will not mention names of the countries but we know that surveillance is low and it is not a matter of blame game to ask why is it low.

“Policing Nigeria maritime space is a serious issue that the government should address.

“Who should be in charge or held responsible with issues that have been raised by the inadequate surveillance of the maritime space, has brought a lot of problem to the nation’s economy.

Folarin, who doubles as the Chairman, National Seafarers Welfare Board ( NSWB) lamented that investors are worried over the high level of insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea adding that the maritime industry has key potentials to provide millions of jobs if well enhanced.

“Nigeria has the longest coastline in the Gulf of Guinea. It has over 9,000 nautical miles of coastline which is largest in Africa when compared to any other country.

“The surveillance is low to the extent that its a fields day for every country of the world to come fish in our waters.

He also listed high freight as a menace to the economy.

“Nigerian freight has been raised by 30% through difficult port surcharge coupled with all manner of levies resulted to unidentified issues of problem.

Speaking further, the PCC boss added that “The coastline within the bight of Benin around the Gulf of Guinea which records the highest number of piracy needs adequate policing.

Otunba believes that if the issues of insecurity and high freight are resolved, the Maritime sector will boost the economy of the country tremendously.