Buhari approves purchase of patrol vessels to boost security in waterways

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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the purchase of patrol vessels to reduce unregulated fishing activities and boost security on the country’s waterways.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this on Friday at the 10th Annual Ministerial Conference of the Fisheries Committee for West and Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) in Abuja.

He said the safety of the nation’s waterways remained a key priority to the current administration.

The vice-president also said the Federal Government was determined to reduce fish imports into the country, saying the efforts were already yielding significant results.

Osinbajo noted that within 2017, local fish production had increased from 450, 000 tonnes in early January to 1.1 million tonnes.

He said: “The safety of Nigerian maritime is also a principal concern to us.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the purchase of some patrol vessels for the Department of Fisheries, which would be managed with the collaboration of the Nigerian Navy.

“These vessels will boost the search and rescue capacities of the relevant security agencies, deter illegal fishing and help secure our vessels at sea.”