Nigeria’s Federal Government has expressed determination to sustain the zero piracy recorded in the maritime space for the past two years, noting that the feat has given the country good representation before the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola who spoke Wednesday at the 2024 graduation ceremony of the advance combat training program for the maritime security unit of the Deep Blue Project, held in Elele, Rivers State, said the achievement has contributed to the positive growth in the nation economy.
Oyetola said the achievement is a significant milestone in the nation’s maritime domain, attributing the success to intervention of the Deep Blue Project.
The deep blue project was created as a solution which enables to manage, control and protect the valuables resources of the country, as well as to control the entire maritime domain of the Nigerian Exclusive Economy Zone (EEZ) and prevent any illegal activities at the sea, inland waterways and enhance the enforcement capabilities of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to generate revenue.
According to Oyetola “Since the full deployment of the deep blue project platform and asset in 2021, within the Nigerian continental shelf, maritime security has been significantly enhanced, the project has contributed immensely fate the significant reduction in piracy and maritime threats, enhancing safety and security in the maritime space”.
He said “The recent extension of the continental shelf from 200 to 300 kilometres has again widen our collective responsibility of ensuring that we harness our vast potentials that our waters that contribute to our marine resources against potential threat.”
Oyetola continued that the achievement of zero piracy incidence in Nigerian water in 2022 is quite commendable, saying “We are committed to sustaining this. Let me assure you all that the President, is resolute and he is committed in sustaining this momentum in the leadership and vision”.
In his welcome speech, the Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola noted that Nigeria is no longer in the piracy hot list of the international community.
Mobereola said the deep blue project is pivotal in strengthening the national security and ensuring safety of Nigeria waterways. He maintained that the project was initiated by the federal government and championed by NIMASA.
The NIMASA Chief Executive Officer assured the graduates that President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated his unwavering support for maritime security. He harped on the roles so far played by the Minister’s of Defence and that of the Blue Economy, and requested for continued support to cover the larger continental shelf awarded Nigeria by the global body.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence Mohammed Abubakar Minister of Defence told the graduated security trainees that their role in maintaining the maritime integrity of the country and protecting national assets, is commendable.
He noted that the event is not just a graduation ceremony but also a testament of hardwork, dedication and commitment to securing the nation’s maritime domain
He advised the trainees, saying “As we reflect on the significance of these achievements it is important to acknowledge the broader context in which you operate.
“Maritime security is a collaborative effort requiring coordination and cooperation with various National and international agencies. You will be among the frontline defenders, working alongside the Nigerian Navy, maritime police and stakeholders to ensure a secured maritime domain”, Abubakar added.
Meanwhile, Chairman, Senate Committee on Maritime and Transportation, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun, remarked that the graduation ceremony marks the transformative milestone in the collective endeavours of Nigerians to secure the nation’s maritime domain.
He stressed that “the addition of these highly trained personnel to the Deep Blue Project is a testament of NIMASA’s unwavering commitment to creating a crime-free maritime environment for Nigeria and global maritime community”.
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