UK expert urges collaboration among nation states to boost maritime trade
UK expert urges collaboration among nation states to boost maritime trade
Trade
By Lucy Ogalue
Abuja, Oct. 9, 2019 (NAN) Mr Richard Morris, a Consultant, UK Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), on Wednesday said maritime trade would better flourish with collaboration among nation states.
Morris spoke with newsmen at the sideline of the ongoing Global Maritime Security Conference in Abuja.
According to him, all of us in the world are globally connected by enabling industries.
He, therefore, urged nation states to join forces in ensuring free navigations on the seas to enable easy movement and transportation of goods and services.
According to Morris, if mariners can go about their businesses unmolested on the high sea, wherever that is in the world, then all of us benefits.
”This is because the goods arrive on time and are cheaper.
”The more problems there are at sea and the disruptions to that maritime trade, it will cause problem in the supply of goods, this makes all the goods and services that we consume more expensive.
”Therefore, it is in all of our interest to cooperate together to drive away any illegal activity. This isn’t just about piracy, but the many form of activity at sea that affect the nation states,“ he said.
While commending the Nigerian government for hosting the conference, he restated the commitment of the UK government to support member states in the Gulf of Guinea to boost maritime security.
Morris, however, explained that it was not in the place of the UK or its partners to provide direct support to the region.
According to him, it is not the responsibility of the UK government to provide direct support to the nation states in the golf of guinea, that is for the states in West Africa to provide their security.
”What the British government with other regional partners including the French and other government are prepared to do is to share our experiences and to help the regional authorities develop their capabilities.
”And that is if they wish to ask us to help them, it is not for us to say how they should go about it,” Morris explained.
On the right approach that should be taken by member states to enhance maritime security, he said strategy of collaborating together was the key.
He said: ”a strategic overview of operating together to share information and to take action is the way to deal with that.
”Although, it takes a lot of work, it takes a lot of resources, and it takes some time to establish an effective organisation.
”Some of the findings and recommendations at this Conference, I’m sure will help guard those responsible for delivering the capabilities within the Golf of Guinea.” (NAN)
LCN/ORD/AMM/AFA
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Felix Ajide