Vincent Toritseju
Lagos — In a bid to further enhance maritime security in Nigeria and along the Gulf of Guinea, GoG, the Government of Nigeria through the office of the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, has signed a N1.16billion agreement with Japanese Government for maritime assets acquisition.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has gone into an agreement N1.16billion with the Japanese Government with a view boosting acquisition of high speed boats.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of State Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, who signed on behalf of Nigeria said that the procurement of the High Speed Boat worth $2.78 million dollars, will greatly enhance the operations of the Deep Blue project.
He commended the Japanese government for their interest and interventions in Nigeria for Economic development.
The Honorable signed on behalf of Nigeria, while the Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, His Excellency Kazuyoshi Matsunaga signed on behalf of the Japanese Government, with the Director General of NIMASA Dr Bashir Jamoh in attendance.
“This project to strengthen the operations of NIMASA will definitely strengthen the partnership between the Government of Japan and Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“Nigeria also appreciates the recent exchange of notes we signed for Emergency Improvement of Electricity Supply Facilities in Abuja, and the role Japan played in the development of the National Power Development Master-plan designed to guide the Government on the optimal energy mix and efficiency for Nigeria”.
On his part, the Director General of NIMASA Dr Bashir Jamoh, assured the Japanese Government that the Agency working with relevant stakeholders will ensure the sustainability of the recent success in the war against piracy in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
“This High-Speed Boat is a welcome addition in our growing arsenal of platforms and assets to reinforce service for coastal security, not only in Nigeria but also in the Gulf of Guinea, as over 60% of shipping activities in the region pass through Nigerian waters”.
“This vessel will be incorporated into the Deep Blue project which already has 2 special Mission Vessels; 2 Special Mission Aircrafts; 3 Special Mission Helicopters; 10 Unmanned Air Systems and vehicles; 17 fast moving interceptor boats; 16 armoured vehicles and the C4i centre.”
Similarly, Ambassador Matsunaga Kazuyoshi who signed on behalf of the Japanese Government noted that the project is to support the measures adopted by the Nigerian Government to deal with the threat of the blue economy, to prevent and suppress piracy, armed robbery, and any other unlawful act against ships in Nigerian waters.
Kazuyoshi said: “in the Gulf of Guinea, as you know, the piracy problem is hindering the economic development of the coastal areas. A slowdown in economic development impoverishes the coastal population, forcing some of them into piracy for their livelihood. We need to break this vicious cycle.
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