Nigeria news:Nigeria procures 12 patrol boats to secure waters

Nigeria on Friday said it had procured 12 patrol boats to secure the country's inland waters.

Ahmed Yar'Adua, managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), disclosed this to reporters in central north Kogi State, adding that it was in addition to the overall efforts by the government to control crime.

Yar'Adua said the boats which cost 4.8 million U.S. dollars, were procured from Malaysia with spare parts and other accessories following a memorandum of understanding with the country.

According to him, the government had decided to ensure that the waters were secured after the completion of the dredging of the lower River Niger last month.

The managing director told reporters that the contract for the supply was awarded to Messrs Herms Consolidated Ltd but revoked due to lack of seriousness. He described the boats as bullet-proof, stressing that they will be distributed to NIWA area offices for its policemen to patrol the waters and control crime.

"The procurement of the boats was aimed at controlling crime. By the time we start full transportation on the waterways, there is going to be one crime or the other like piracy on the high sea, " Yar'Adua said.

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