The Federal Government says it is set to deploy its integrated maritime security infrastructure to comprehensively tackle insecurity on Nigeria’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone
The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, stated this Monday in Lagos while briefing the media ahead of the launch of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also called the Deep Blue Project.
The Minister, who addressed the press conference alongside all the heads of agencies under the ministry, also explained the government’s decision to end the secure anchorage project, a private security initiative run outside the country’s port system. He insisted that all ships coming into the country must anchor at the national ports under the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), while expatiating on the Deep Blue Project, said 80 per cent of the assets required for the takeoff of the total spectrum maritime security architecture would be deployed by June.
Giving a breakdown of the assets being installed under the Deep Blue Project, Dakuku revealed that a good number of the assets had arrived the country, including six interceptor boats and a special mission vessel, saying a second one will come in before the end of February.
