Reps pledges support as NIMASA plans expansion of Deep Blue Project to cover extended continental shelf

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr.Dayo Mobereola, has announced plans to expand the scope of the Deep Blue Project to cover Nigeria’s maritime territory including the newly extended continental shelf.

This comes as the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Administration and Education has pledged to provide the necessary budgetary support and approvals to sustain the gains made so far through the Deep Blue Project.

The extension, which increases Nigeria’s continental shelf from 200 to 220 nautical miles, the NIMASA DG said will require additional assets to ensure effective security coverage.

Dr. Mobereola stated this on Friday at the Maritime Security Unit (MSU) Operational Maritime Capability Demonstration held at Navy Town, Ojo Lagos and witnessed by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee Hon. Uduak Odudoh, among others.

During the exercise, the Maritime Security Unit (MSU) of the agency showcased a simulation of their maneuvering skills which included boat formations, vessel boarding and overtake with interceptors boats and helicopters, rappelling descended from a helicopter, fast rope descended from helicopter, hostage rescue and deck landing.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, Dr. Mobereola said the Agency would make a case to the Minister and President for support to expand the Deep Blue project to cover the entire nation’s territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea to make the region free from piracy, sea robery and minimize incursions on Nigerian waterways.

His words, “We are going to expand the Deep Blue project. Yes, we have increased our continental shelf from 200 to 220 nautical miles and we need to even cover that 220 and beyond because even the 220 is what is legally ours but we can cover beyond that to 350 as much as we can.”

“We would be making a case to the Honorable Minister and to the President to assist the Deep Blue project, to support in terms of giving us more equipment for us to be able to cover the whole of the Nigerian territorial waters, as well as lend support to the Gulf of Guinea so that the whole region will be pirate free, sea robbery free, and to some extent all kind of incursions that is happening on our waterways will come to a zero point. So we are thinking ahead and we shall get there very soon, ” he said.

The NIMASA DG expressed confidence in the Deep Blue Project, which he said has been successful, with Nigeria being removed from the International Maritime Bureau piracy list after two years without any reported piracy incidents.

“It is obvious from what we have seen today that this project is working well. In fact, it has done so well that we have been recognized by the International Maritime Organization. And we have been taken off from the piracy list. There has been no piracy in Nigerian waters for the past two years.

“And the aim is to continue to sustain it and even to expand it to cover all the areas of security in Nigerian waters
and to also help the neighboring countries as well. Because the more we can protect their water, territorial areas, we are also protecting ourselves, ” he said.

Dr. Mobereola also highlighted the importance of international collaboration to enhance Nigeria’s maritime security and reputation.

He commended the officers and crew manning the deep plue project assets, descrbing them as best in Africa.

He encouraging them to continue their excellent work and assured them of NIMASA’s continued sipport.

He said, “I am extremely impressed by the display of courage, knowledge, and understanding of your ability that I’ve seen today. And you surpassed my imagination.

“I want to say keep it up and we on our own side will continue to support you as much as humanly possible with all the resources that are required to carry out your work.

“We know that your task is daunting and we have heard from the grapevine that you are probably the best in Africa and the Gulf of Guinea and I’m acknowledging it openly that you are the best.

“So please don’t reduce your efforts. We are counting on you to make the maritime space to be more secured.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee. Hon. Ududoh while acknowledging the significant progress made by the Deep Blue project expressed concern that NIMASA is solely funding the project.

He emphasized the importance of adequate funding to sustain the project’s impact, particularly in addressing oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Hon. Odudoh assured that the National Assembly is committed to supporting NIMASA’s efforts and urged the agency to submit additional proposals for funding.

“When I looked at the budget, I saw Deep Blue Project management and sustainability, I want to commend NIMASA for this.

“However it is pitiful that that only NIMASA is funding this project, if we have a project like this and it is taken seriously, the issue of oil theft in the Niger Delta would reduce to zero.

“We have no option than to look at the budget, if they require for more funds, we would approve it for the benefit of suppression of security challenges in Nigeria. If maritime security is guaranteed, the revenue of NIMASA would increase, and by extension, that of NPA and others, this means more money for Nigeria.

“As far as we are concerned at National Assembly, the DG should bring additional proposals and we would approve it for the benefit of the agency and Nigerians, “he said.

Highpoints of the occasion was the unveiling of the air crew accomodation and commissioning of interceptors marine workshop constructed by the Deep blue Project.

Photo caption:

Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr Dayo Mobereola (left) and Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan during the Maritime Security Unit Operational Maritime Capability Demonstration exercise in Lagos on Friday.