As part of measures to checkmate crimes in the nation’s coastal waters, especially the menace of piracy and smuggling, the Nigerian Navy has said that it will soon place a restriction on the use of 200 horse power (HP) Outboard Engines on the waterways.
A statement by Commodore Christian Odogwu Ezekobe, Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, said that the measure which is part of strategic efforts by the Service to ensure that the nation’s coastal waterways are secure for legitimate activities, became necessary due to the fact that pirates and other criminals use this high powered caliber engines to proceed into international waters within the Gulf of Guinea.
The statement said it has also been observed that the criminals carry out their nefarious activities at sea with the aid of this class of engines which are mounted on boats stowed on mother ships.
It said that the Nigerian Navy and its maritime security partners especially Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta have confiscated many boats with 200 horse power outboard engines in recent times, but said some of the confiscated engines have been released to their owners after strict profiling exercises.
However, Commodore Ezekobe said that investigation has proven that people of questionable characters whose interest are in breach of security in the waterways use this class of high powered engines to perpetuate crimes.
“Consequently, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas is working with various state governments of the coastal states to ensure that individuals and corporate organisations who are in possession of, or wishing to acquire outboard engines in the capacity of 200 and above horse powers should register with the Nigerian Navy.
“The registration and profiling which would be free, is a step towards ensuring that only authorized persons and corporate organisations are allowed to use this class of engines on Nigeria’s coastal waters. Besides, this step will establish a credible data base of users of the boats fitted with these high caliber engines.
“In this regard, the Nigerian Navy solicits the cooperation of State Governments in the coastal areas on the restriction and profiling of this class of outboard engines. Currently, the Government of Delta and Bayelsa States have provided necessary support to the Nigerian Navy and its maritime Security partners,” the statement said.
The Nigerian Navy assured that more proactive strategies have been launched by the Service and its maritime security partners to curb all forms of crimes and unwholesome activities in the maritime domain.
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