Nigerian Navy says ‘choke point’ will end oil theft 

The Nigerian Navy has introduced a new strategy it named ‘Choke-Point Regime’ to put an end to the crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering and movement of stolen crude to major vessels stationed offshore.

This was disclosed by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, represented by Rear Admiral Udofia at the International Maritime Business to Business Conference and Exhibition held in Lagos this week.

Creating choke points within the nation’s coastal areas, Ibas said, has aided the fight against oil theft and other criminal activities on the nation’s territorial waters.

“The choke point tactics has led to more seizure of vessels and is reducing the capacity and capability of oil thieves to continually sabotage the nation’s economy in the maritime environment,” he said.

Ibas also said that the Nigerian Navy is embracing the automatic identification of vessel system, ground based radar and sensor equipment in its battle to curtail maritime crime.

He said, “The newly acquired information and communication equipment is expected to stand navy in good stead in the fight against pirates, piracy and other criminal activities in the maritime environment which has negatively affected the economy of the nation and reduced investors confidence.”

He said lamented that “insufficient funding is the bane of the Navy’s ability to optimally perform her constitutional roles”.

In her opening remark, the conference convener, Oritsematosan Edodo-Emote, said the theme of the conference which is “Maritime Trade and Investments – Catalyst for Growth” is for the maritime industry in Africa to develop through moving the continent forward by itself.

She said, “This involves deliberate policies to encourage the development of maritime infrastructures, financing the acquisition of vessels, security of waters, development of maritime laws and dispute resolution processes in the continent.”