The Acting Chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Uduak Odudoh, has charged stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry to explore alternate sources of funding for the Federal Government Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure Project, also known as the Deep Blue Project.
The project is currently being funded by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Shortly after witnessing the Maritime Security Unit (MSU) Operational Maritime Capability Demonstration, accompanied by the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, in Lagos, the lawmaker acknowledged that the Deep Blue Project has played a significant role in maintaining peace in Nigerian waters in recent years.
He noted that the achievements of the NIMASA-Nigerian Navy partnership had positioned Nigeria at a high international standing in maritime security. He noted that to sustain the project, it is time to seek additional sources of funding.
The lawmaker said: “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” Odudoh added
While addressing the men and officers of the Maritime Security Unit, the Director-General of NIMASA maintained that the agency was committed to the sustainability of the project.
He expatiated: “This project has earned Nigeria International recognition by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and we have been taken off from the Piracy list. The aim is to continue to sustain it and we will 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.
“Please don’t reduce your efforts as we count on you to make the maritime space more secure, the President of Nigeria is counting on you, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola is also in support of this project”, the Director-General added.
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.
Some of the highlights of the event were the unveiling of the aircrew accommodation renovated by the Deep Blue Project by the lawmaker while the NIMASA boss commissioned the interceptors’ marine workshop.
Photo Caption
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; the agency’s Executive Director Operations, Engr. Fatai Adeyemi; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Jibril Abba, Country Director, and HLSI Nigeria, Tal Spekto; during the Deep Blue Security Capability Demonstration exercise in Lagos
