The Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy said that over 20 countries will participate in its off shore conference aimed at improving security on waterways across Africa.
The command’s Chief Staff Officer (CSO), Rear Admiral Begroy Ibe-Enwo, made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Lagos.
He disclosed that the Navy was partnering with International Quality Productivity Centre (IQPC) in the venture.
The second Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Africa Conference will hold from Aug. 24 to Aug. 26.
The theme of the conference is ‘Facilitating Cooperation Across Africa and Focusing on Naval System and Coastal Surveillance To Enhance Maritime Security’.
The CSO said that more countries would show up before the opening day of the conference.
“Several papers will be presented and discussed by international maritime security experts on the areas and issues that are of interest to African and global maritime stakeholders.
“Participants at the event will include global experts in maritime security and naval operations, service chiefs and flag officers from international and African navies.
“The participants will focus on Anti-Piracy Operations, Coastal Surveillance Systems, Cost-effective OPV and Naval System Acquisition, International Best Pratices in OPV Operations.
“Also, multilateral and innovative protection measures for offshore oil and gas assets, technology transfer and development of domestic ship building capabilities will be discussed.
“There will be exhibition of security and defence related equipment for protection of oil and gas assets and co-operation and information sharing among maritime stakeholders.
“Maritime Industry key players, including offshore oil and gas security experts will display ground breaking technologies that could be beneficial to the navy and other African littoral nations.
“All these are geared towards dealing with the various maritime security threats on our waters.
“And we will keep emphasising and sensitising ourselves so that in the near future, incidences of maritime insecurity will be a thing of the past,” he said.
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