The Director General of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Corp, Commodore Allen Edem has appealed to the federal government to adequately fund the Nigeria Merchant Navy to enable it curb the challenges of illegal immigrants in the country’s sea fares.
Edem made the call yesterday at Idah in Kogi state while addressing members of the corps as part of activities to mark the one hundred years of existence merchant navy in Nigeria.
According to him, the Nigeria merchant has a vital role to play in the eradication of corrupt ship owners to perpetuate any illegal oil hunkering, smuggling of dangerous weapon, contraband goods and immigrant on water.
He stressed the need for cooperation of maritime stake holders both the local and foreign one to enable it effectively safeguard riverine states.
Edem said the major objective of the Nigeria Merchant Navy is not only for conveying goods and cargos but to develop and protect the integrity of the nation’s economy, saying that the body has been able to protect all forms of unauthorized immigrant in the nation.
