DEEP BLUE PROJECT: House Committee on Navy Commends NIMASA

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Jamoh, DG NIMASA speaking during the project defense

The Chairman House Committee on Nigerian Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi has commended the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for its commitment to transparency in its execution of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project.

A statement by Assistant Director, Public Relations of the Agency, Osagie Edward stated that the commendation was made today when the management of the Agency  appeared before the House Committee on Navy currently investigating the Deep Blue Contract awarded to the HLS International Limited by Nigeria.

“We in the Committee of the Navy commend your Management team at NIMASA for providing all documents we have requested for. It shows that you have nothing to hide”. Our desire is to ensure public funds are spent not only in public interest but in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the land”. Hon Gagdi said.

A member of the Committee Hon. Alao Ajala expressed delight at the fact that Nigeria has exited the global piracy list. His position was re-echoed by most members of the Committee who also acknowledged the role the Nigerian Navy is playing in securing the nation’s territorial waters.

In his presentation to the Committee, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh said that the Agency acted in line with approval from the Federal Executive Council for the Agency to fund the Deep Blue Project at the cost of $195 million with a management fee of 10%, adding that the funds invested in managing the assets since their deployment is appropriated for by the National Assembly.

The NIMASA boss also disclosed that the Korean Governments as well as Japan has identified with the Deep Blue Project, reinforcing international recognition for the project.

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (standing) exchanging views with the Chairman Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Danjuma Goje, and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu during the public hearing on Some Maritime Bills at the National Assembly Complex Abuja

“The Korean Government is delighted at the concept of the Deep Blue Project and has promised to support Nigeria by donating a vessel to increase its fleet under the project. The government of Japan has also joined by pledging support via funds”.

He listed assets acquired by NIMASA for the project to include 17 Fast Intervention Vessels, 2 Special Mission Vessels, 2 Special Mission Aircrafts, 3 Special Mission Helicopters 4 unmanned aerial vessels and 16 armored vehicles.

The project also has a command and control center known as the C4i Center located in a NIMASA facility in Lagos which is jointly manned by officials from all the arms of the Nigerian Armed Forces, NIMASA staff and other para military Agencies who are part of the project.

The assets are properties of the Agency manned and operated by the various arms of the military to enhance security of commercial shipping in the Nigerian maritime domain.

Also speaking on Tuesday at the investigative hearing on the Deep Blue Project  contract to HLS International Limited by the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, the Honorable Minister of Transportation, said necessary approvals were secured before the implementation of the Deep Blue Project.

He disclosed that Nigeria has received an international recognition in form of an award from the African Union for the concept of the Deep Blue Project.

His words, “I was to be in Nairobi last week as the African Union gave us award for the Deep Blue Project. Presently, the crime rate on our waters and the Gulf of Guinea region has gone down. Before now, we ranked number one in the world, but, since the deployment of the HLSI project, piracy has gone down drastically.”

In a related development, stakeholders were unanimous in their support for the Merchant Shipping Act, Repeal and Enactment Bill 2021 during the public hearing also held today at the National Assembly complex Abuja. At the public hearing was the DG NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh,  the Chairman Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Danjuma Goje, and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu.