By Steve Agbota
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, has assured that the maritime security assets under the Deep Blue Project (DBP) will continue to tackle piracy, illegal fishing and other maritime crimes in the nation’s waters.
Mobereola, who stated this at the 2024 graduation ceremony of the advanced combat training programme for the maritime security unit of the DBP recently, said that Nigeria was delisted from list of piracy prone countries in 2023 due to efforts put in place by the federal government through investment in maritime security assets known as the DBP.
He assured that the agency will continue to make capacity development training a top priority to make the nation’s waters safe and cut back on huge capital hurting the nation.
The NIMASA noted that the the graduates of the continuous capacity development training will serve as guardians of the nation’s maritime assets, safeguarding Nigerian waters against piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and ensuring the safety and security of the marine resources in the country.
Their training in tactical shooting drills, operational demonstrations, and other essential skills prepares them to respond effectively to any challenges that may arise, thereby safeguarding our national interests and driving economic prosperity.
“The commissioning of the Armoured Vehicle Workshop demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to modernising and optimizing our military assets, ensuring our vehicles are in optimal condition and ready for deployment at any time.
“For the graduates, this means access to reliable equipment, enhancing their operational capabilities. Moreover, this development represents a sustainable approach to reducing our reliance on foreign maintenance services and cultivating self-sufficiency.
“The workshop will play a vital role in ensuring our forces have the necessary mechanical support to maintain operational effectiveness, thereby bolstering our national security and independence. A few days ago, we witnessed the demonstration by the Maritime Security Unit in Lagos, where your colleagues showcased operational capabilities of the Special Mission Vessels, Fast Intervention Vessels, and the Special Mission Helicopters,” he added.
According to him, this is a clear confirmation of the unit’s capability and readiness to tackle various maritime security challenges.
“Furthermore, the DBP emphasises the importance of collaboration and partnership, involving various stakeholders such as the entire Nigerian Armed Forces, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, with NIMASA serving as the lead facilitator, and the private sector.
We will continue to seek collaboration in our quest to achieve sustainable security in the Nigerian Maritime domain,” he said.
He commended the entire Deep Blue team for the progress made since its inception in 2019, saying it is noteworthy that Nigeria was delisted from the list of piracy-prone nations last year after a sustained period of zero piracy attacks in Nigerian waters.