In a bid to reduce maritime irregularities on the nation’s waterways, 20 countries have expressed interest in partnering with the Nigerian Navy for the 2015 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) conference.
The conference which will be hosted by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas is aimed at improving maritime security.
The Chairman of the committee, Rear Admiral Begroy Ibe-Enwo, said the theme of the conference is ‘Facilitating Cooperation Across Africa and Focusing on Naval System and Coastal Surveillance To Enhance Maritime Security’.
He said “Participants at the event would 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 Practices 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.”
The conference will be held at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos from August 24 to 26 2015.