*** As DG NIMASA restates commitment to sustainability
L-R: Captain B.S. Maccoo; Commander Deep Blue, Commodore O.A. Akinbami; Acting Chairman House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Uduak Odudoh; Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Executive Director Operations NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Jibril Abba, Country Director, HLSI Nigeria, Tal Spekto during the Deep Blue Security Capability Demonstration exercise in Lagos.
BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The Acting Chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Uduak Odudoh, has called for alternate sources of funding for the Federal Government Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure Project.
Hon. Odudoh made this call shortly after witnessing the Maritime Security Unit (MSU) Operational Maritime Capability Demonstration, in Lagos, alongside the NIMASA Director General and the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, according to the statement issued on Sunday eve by the Assistant Director/Head, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward.
The Federal Government Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure Project also known as the Deep Blue Project is domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and currently funded by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Hon. Odudoh who acknowledged that the Deep Blue Project has played a significant role in maintaining peace in Nigerian waters in recent years, emphasized that the achievements of the NIMASA-Nigerian Navy partnership have elevated the country to a high international standing in maritime security.
He said to sustain the project, it is time to seek additional sources of funding.
In his words, “At the IMO Conference last year, Nigeria was greatly commended for the fact that there has not been any pirate attack on our waters in two years. That feat was achieved through the efforts of the Deep Blue Project.
“When I looked at the budget, I saw provisions for Deep Blue Project management and sustainability. I want to commend NIMASA for this. However, it is pitiful that only NIMASA is funding this project. If a project like this is taken seriously, the issue of oil theft in the Niger Delta would be reduced to zero.”
“We have no option than to look at the budget, if they require more funds, we would approve it for the benefit of suppression of security challenges in Nigeria. If maritime security is guaranteed, the revenue of NIMASA would increase, and by extension, that of NPA and others, this means more money for Nigeria.”
The NIMASA DG, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, restated the Agency’s commitment to the sustainability of the Project, while addressing the men and officers of the Maritime Security Unit.
According to him, the Deep Blue Project has earned Nigeria International recognition by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) have been taken off from the Piracy list.
He said the aim is to continue to sustain the tempo while the Agency continue to encourage the personnel of the Deep Blue Project. “Keep it up, and we on our own side would continue to support you as much as humanly possible”.
Dr. Mobereola urged the Personnel to remain steadfast on their efforts and make the maritime space more secure as the President of Nigeria is counting on them to deliver as well as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
Crucial part of the occasion is the Unveiling of the Aircrew Accommodation by the Acting Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Odudoh which was renovated by the Deep Blue Project, while the NIMASA DG, Dr Dayo Mobereola, commissioned the Interceptors’ Marine Workshop.
The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, and Executive Directors of NIMASA, among others, witnessed the demonstrations, which included various tactics such as boat formations, vessel boarding and overtaking with interceptor boats, rappelling and fast rope descents from helicopters, as well as hoist rescues.
