the Deep Blue Project, the central security structure for all anchorage
areas in the Nigerian maritime domain. This is to reduce the cost of
shipping goods into the country. Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports
Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, disclosed this today in Lagos
after a meeting with the Executive Management of the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) led by the Director-General
Dr. Bashir JamohPoop, at the Agency’s Headquarters in Lagos.The NPA MD also disclosed that both Agencies have agreed to work out
modalities for effective removal of all wrecks and derelicts that may
hinder navigations in the Nigerian waters.
According to the NPA MD, NIMASA and NPA are sister Agencies and should
be seen to be collaborating more for the growth of the maritime industry
and the country generally. She also disclosed that arrangements are in
top gear to berth the NIMASA floating Dockyard permanently in order for
it to commence operations in July.
“We had a range of discussions bordering on the Secure Anchorage Area
which our supervising Ministry desires the Deep Blue Project to provide
security for all anchorage areas in the country. Aside from saving the
country a lot of money, it will ensure that the security of the Nigerian
Maritime domain is given focal attention”.
Hadiza also disclosed that both Agencies agreed to interlink the C3i of
the NPA and C4i of NIMASA in order to interchange information that would
assist the Nigerian Navy’s response to security.
“We have the C3i Command, Control, and Intelligence center at NPA and
NIMASA has the c4i while the Navy has falcon eye. We need to interlink
these facilities and we believe that this would assist the country in
response to maritime security threats”.
Corroborating Hadiza’s stance, Dr. Bashir Jamoh reiterated the fact that
there was a need to harmonize most of the working models amongst all
maritime Agencies to avoid duplication of duties which also leads to
more costs.
Jamoh said the Secure Anchorage Area which has been a subject of debate
amongst stakeholders would now be covered under the multi-spectrum
security architecture popularly known as the Deep Blue Project.
“There is absolutely no need for us to have private security in our
maritime space. You are aware that this increases the cost of Shipping
in our country. By the time the Deep Blue Project becomes fully
operational, the cost of shipping would drastically reduce”.
The NIMASA DG also pointed out that barring any unforeseen
circumstances, the floating Dockyard should be operational by the end of
July. A facility he said will employ hundreds of Nigerians directly and
also earn a huge amount in revenue for the country.
“We are finalizing arrangements with the NPA to get a permanent berth
for the floating Dockyard and by the end of July, this facility should
be operational. The interesting thing is that aside from earning a huge
amount of revenue, it also has the capacity to employ over 300 Nigerian
youths directly”.
The meeting is seen as a major step towards effective collaborations by
both Agencies to enhance security in the Nigerian Maritime domain in
order to achieve growth for the industry.