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MASPAN, AMANO Seek Solution To *Drug, Human Smuggling/Trafficking* Menace in the maritime industry At 2024 Conference

By Afolabi Oyekunle.




Worried by the rising spate of drug and human trafficking through the seas which jeopardises the safety and security of the shipping industry, two critical stakeholders in the maritime industry, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (AMANO) are set to seek lasting solutions to this scourge and a more efficient way to handle the challenge in the maritime space through a one day conference.


The conference themed *"Drug and Human Smuggling/Trafficking: The Evolving Maritime Security Threats to Ships and Seafarers,"* will bring critical stakeholders in the Marine and Blue Economy industry under one roof to tackle this menace.



Some of the big-wigs expected at this important event include the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, who will chair the event.


Others include the Senate President, Senator Goodwill Akpabio; Speaker, House of Representatives; Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), General Buba Marwa; Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administrative and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Alhaji Aminu Umar; Director General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, amongst a host of others.


Speaking about the event, the Co-Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Mr. Agassi Peter Jonathan, in a statement disclosed that as the private maritime security association in Nigeria and the alumni of a top institution like AMANO, there is an urgent need to address this malaise before it escalates in negatively impacting the efforts of developing blue economies.


"The recent rise in drug and human smuggling/trafficking through the seas jeopardises the safety and security of the shipping industry which is a vital sector for global trade. It adds burden to shipping companies and seafarers which a key to the development of shipping, marine and blue economy."

The MASPAN-AMANO 2024 Conference is geared towards drawing over 300 stakeholders including shipowners, ship operators, seafarers, policymakers, regulatory agencies like NIMASA, Nigeria Customs Services, NPA, NDLEA, NAPTIP, Nigerian Navy amongst others that can deliberate objectively on the theme to arrive at a sustainable solution that will resonate within the industry," they said.

The keynote paper will be delivered by a Hong Kong based internationally renown shipping expert: Capt. Suresh Prabhakar

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