- The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC), Japan, Navy have have commenced a training programme for forces in the Gulf of Guinea area.
The training is meant to prepare them to tackle piracy in the gulf of guinea.
The ongoing 3-Week Counter-Piracy Course on the Core Principles and Practice of Combating Piracy, in Abuja is being conducted by Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan.
The UNDP Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, Mr Matthew Alao, said that the 3-week course would help reinforce synergies and partnership amongst stakeholders.
Also said the course was part of a Japanese-funded project that intends to complement global, regional and national authorities’ visions and efforts at combating the menace of pirates in the Gulf of Guinea region.
He said the was aimed at building the skills, expertise and knowledge of the participants on the core principles and practice of combating piracy.
“The course consolidates on the achievement of the 2021 maiden edition of the anti-piracy project successfully implemented by MLAILPKC in collaboration with partners from Go Countries including Nigeria.
“The Counter Piracy project, which is being implemented by the Centre, will assist the Gulf of Guinea Countries to further strengthen their institutional effectiveness, inclusiveness, accountability, transparency and responsiveness.
“As well as reinforce synergies and partnerships amongst them to combat maritime crimes; promote international trades, and ensure the economic stability of the member states and of the local communities in the region.
“The project will contribute towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal 16 which aims to promote peace and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective and accountable institutions at all levels. It will help to reduce the prevalence of extremisms, violent crimes and exclusion,” he said.
The Commandant Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre Maj.-Gen. Awaul Fagge, represented by Deputy Commandant, Brig.-Gen. Sunday Makolo, expressed concern over the increased rise in the different acts of piracy threatens the maritime domain.
According to him, this accounts for a great percentage of global merchandise distribution and exchanges.
Fagge said incessant pirate attacks had resulted in increased maritime insurance costs, increased prices of goods merchandise, oil and gas resource and the growth of regional black markets in clandestine goods and services apart from endangering lives and properties.
He said the costs associated with piracy and other TOCs were passed on and borne by the final consumers in the GoG littoral states.
“It is against this backdrop that the Government of Japan through the UNDP, sponsored the Centre to conduct a research project on Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea: Root Causes, Effects and Priority Intervention Measures’.
“Thereafter, a curriculum for an anti-piracy course was developed, which led to the conduct of the Anti-Piracy Course in the Centre,” he said.
The commandant said that during the period of training, participants would be required to bring their various experiences, competencies and expertise to bear.
Mr Shinozawa Takayuki, Charge d Affairs ad Interim of Japan to Nigeria, said that his country was committed to contributing to the security of West Africa and protect people’s lives through a variety of measures including capacity building for personnel in charge of maritime safety.
“Japan and Nigeria are far apart, but we are connected by sea. Therefore, as a true friend of Nigeria, it can be said that Nigeria’s matter is Japan’s matter.
“I wish to reassure everyone that the Government of Japan, in cooperation with other countries, continues to contribute to the peace and stability of the Gulf of Guinea, for the livelihood of the Nigerian people and for regional economic stability,” he added.
While describing the GoG as the world’s piracy hotspot in 2021, the envoy commended the Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian military, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and other relevant organizations for their continuous and tremendous efforts in fighting piracy through various initiatives.
He said that countries such as UK and US were also working together with the Nigerian government on security in the Gulf of Guinea
