Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has alleged that low revenue, low output and dwindling demand for fish in Nigeria are because of the poor policing of the country’s territorial waters.

It similarly claimed that the development has allowed illegal Russian and Chinese companies free hand to fish illegally in the country.

The allegation was made last night by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during a meeting with the national committee on Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures (HSOP).

Lokpobiri said out of the total fisheries requirement of over three million metric tonnes, Nigeria was only producing just about 1.1 million metric tons, living a gap of about two million metric tonnes.

“Our territorial waters are not policed to prevent illegal unregistered fishing. The Chinese, Russian and others are coming to Nigerian territorial waters and freely fishing,” he said, adding, “Part of the reports we got is that you hardly will see vessels that are arrested and brought to Nigeria on account of fishing illegally without permit on our territorial waters.”

He expressed worries that, foreign vessels routinely come here with the wrong notion that, in Nigeria, they can bribe their way.

“So, they come with some dollars. They bribe your officers who are on the high sea, and then they fish as much as they want and they go back.”

Moreover, he said, the illegal fishing also posed a lot of danger to local fishermen and women.
He added that there was no capacity to police or provide security for along the coastal waterways.
His view was corroborated by the chairman of the visiting committee members, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Shafi’i.
Shafi’i said there were so many illegal activities cutting across all the agencies that are represented in the HSOP.

He stressed that there was a lack of coordination of activities, prompting the federal government to set up a body that would coordinate to produce document that everybody will be aware of, and involving all the agencies that have anything to do, either with arresting, or detaining or prosecuting persons that carry out illegal activities in our environment.
The committee on harmonised standard operating procedure was launched on January 26, 2017, with the mandate to seek for cooperation, collaboration and coordination of activities on arrest, detention and prosecution of persons and vessels in our maritime environment.

Lokpobiri expressed delight in the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures document that was long overdue.
He said from fisheries resources alone, Nigeria should be able to earn billions of dollars in foreign exchange.
“Right now, we spend perhaps close to a billion dollars to import fish,” he observed, adding that, “in Liberia, on internationally agreed rates, vessels in their territorial waters that are arrested and detained because they don’t have requisite permit, will pay a minimum of $250,000. Nigeria certainly needs a lot more dollars now that petro-dollars are drying up.”

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/08/18/fg-blames-illegal-russian-chinese-fishing-in-nigerian-waters-for-low-revenue/

Front Page: Lalasticlala Mynd44

APC and blame games. ....

Noted.

In other words invest in maritime patrol and ensure due registration of all finishing vessels, also establish a border / boundary so as to prevent confusion and fine offenders a shitload of money



But some idiots think it's blame game while some don't think at all

Nigeria does need to secure it maritime waters. There's too much nonsense going on in the Gulf of Guinea. Most people are unaware illegal Chinese fishers cost $1.3 billion yearly in West Africa alone.

The federal government has alleged that low revenue, low output and dwindling demand for fish in Nigeria are because of the poor policing of the country’s territorial waters.

Not sure how having less fish lower aggregate demand. The supply argument, security and revenue argument do make sense though. Since less legal business means no taxes.

Do something about it

modelmike7:
Do something about it

The navy is trying to take steps in that regard. Just a few weeks ago they requested 1.3 billion for procurement of vessels and hardware.

general purpose frigate valued at $350 million, a long-endurance Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) valued at $120 million, a medium-endurance OPV estimated at $60 million, a landing platform dock ship worth $350 million and a landing ship-tank valued $90 million.

Other required assets include a submarine worth $300 million, a Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) worth $10 million and a specialised naval security helicopter at an estimated cost of $25 million.

So nauseating a blaming government.Never getting anything done right but often quick to absolve itself of taking action for it inaction.BTW,what gave rise to the violation of Nigeria's sovereignity by these nationals as they invade our territorial waters illegally Perhaps "egunje" must have exchange inbetween hands.

Paperwhite:
BTW,What gave rise to the violation of Nigeria's sovereignity by these nationals as they invade our territorial waters illegally Perhaps "egunje" must have exchange inbetween hands.

Same reason they do it all over many parts of Africa. A lot of African nations don't have secure waters. Then they hardly communicate and coordinate on secruring maritime waters. Yes corruption always has part but it's bigger than that in this case. Gulf of Guinea has pirates doing kidnapping and stealing to foreigners illegally fishing.

South Africa alone loses billions of dollars every year to illegal fishing, especially to the poaching of abalone and lobster, prized by poachers for their high demand in places such as Hong Kong, China, and other parts of East Asia. 

A 2013 study revealed that out of the 130 ships operating off its coast 129 were foreign, and concerns increasing that within 10 years, the Mozambique Channel may be all but bereft of maritime life. With the country losing 65 million dollars a year to illegal fishing, 

Always blaming everyone else

Hahaha.

Today is Sunday abeg. Hahahaha

I pray make dem no go blame NORTH KOREA one day oooo! Na that day dem cup go full for blame games

Blue3k:


The navy is trying to take steps in that regard. Just a few weeks ago they requested 1.3 billion for procurement of vessels and hardware.

That's just another way to loot and share money

Buhari will soon blame Jesus for his failure. An illiterate that shouldn't even be a local government chairman.

Anyone who believes this poo that the chinese and Russians come to steal fish needs to have their heads examined.

People will just be talking any how ehat does the lawyer know?

Suprnov3r:
APC abd blame games. ....

Who did they blame?

Buhari is back with more lies...

Always passing the buck! What's the navy's doing if they aren't monitoring Nigeria's territorial waters

can you imagine what this useless govt is saying

instead of taking action and secure our territorial waters

Action should be taken on it rather than giving excuses.

When Navy is busy doing JTF and manning road blocks, i have even seen Navy men doing private escort, the Nigerian navy needs to be upgraded, shout out to AVM Sadique Abubakar for improving the Nigerian Air force......

Who cares? Next pls

Blue3k:


Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/08/18/fg-blames-illegal-russian-chinese-fishing-in-nigerian-waters-for-low-revenue/

Front Page: Lalasticlala Mynd44

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

APC...CONGRESS OF BABOONS

From Jonathan to Chinese

Seriously, this country is a joke.... What is the job of our NAVY and Air Force.... Or I forget, shooting and beating up innocent citizens.


So, all the allocation we spend on Navy and boat maintenance, the Navy still can't protect our Waters...

Also blame GEJ

The marine police and the navy are more interested in oil bunkerers.

DickDastardLION:

I pray make dem no go blame NORTH KOREA one day oooo! Na that day dem cup go full for blame games

Hahaha hahahahaha,
Make dat small boy no take us do shooting practice,!


I normally do not comment on this OP's thread,cos he blindly speaks for the ruling party.

But that North Korea guy don make everybody sit up.

And LAI Mohammed hasn't blamed Jonathan? Mbanu .

How can a country with large population can't control its territorial waters? Nobody is even talking about Environmental Resources Management?
Why? Over dependence on oil.
The same government complaining gave out licences for them to fish in our waters. They fish in our waters and export same to us at a high cost
Our Govt. said the country doesn't have the resources to acquire fishing vessels.
The so called "whites" empty the toxic wastes accumulated in their country into our waters. Our living aquatic resources becomes poisoned with toxic heavy metals which is passed to humans that consumes them. Why won't people develop incurable ailments.

The whites wave foreign currencies to bride the so called people protecting our waters. They then breach our Economic Exclusive Zone without resistance.


We have all the resources including human resources to make things right. We just need good policymakers and policy. Over dependence on oil sha

We need to breach the gap between Govt and University Dons to make things work. People in such field should be involved in policy making.

Hit the like button if you agree

At least, they didn't blame Jonathan this time...