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Deep blue project excites African Union
… as lawmakers laud NIMASA for transparent execution Opeyemi Adesogbon The African Union(AU) has expressed its admiration for Nigeria’s deep blue project through an award for the concept. The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi made this disclosure when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Navy which is currently probing the $195million project.
The Minister told the appreciative law makers that Nigeria has received an international recognition in form of an award from the African Union for the concept of the Deep Blue Project. Speaking on the Deep Blue Project Contract award to HLS International, Amaechi disclosed that necessary approvals were secured before the implementation of the Deep Blue Project. “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.” Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee, Honorable Yusuf Gagdi 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 also known as the Deep Blue Project. This commendation was made when the agency’s management 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 the public interest but in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the land”. He said.
A member of the Committee, Honorable 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 dollars 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. He also disclosed that the Korean Government has identified with the Deep Blue Project. “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”. Dr Jamoh 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 paramilitary Agencies who are part of the project. The assets are properties of the Agency manned and operated by the various Military arms of government to enhance the security of commercial shipping in the Nigerian maritime domain.
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Marine and Blue Economy sector holds better prospects for Nigerian youths– Oyetola
Funso OLOJO
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has advised Nigerian youths to take advantage of the countless opportunities in the sector as they have better prospects.
Oyetola made this call on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024 at the 2024 International Conference, titled, ‘Advancing Entrepreneurship Education and Practice for Sustainable Development in Africa,”
The event was organized by the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies (IFEDS), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The Minister, represented by the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, said that the blue economy sector promises a wealth of benefits for the growing youth population of Nigeria.
Oyetola highlighted the opportunities in the blue economy to constitute a spectrum of economic activities which include maritime shipping, the construction and repair of ships, port infrastructure and services, coastal tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, and generation of renewable energy offshore.
“Others are seabed mining; underwater cabling; marine biotechnology (in support of the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors); maritime education, research, and consultancy services; protection and restoration of marine habitats; water desalination and waste disposal.
He, however, called on academic institutions across the country to work together with the government to harness the numerous potential inherent in the nation’s ocean and coastal resources
“The Marine and Blue Economy represents a blue gold mine of entrepreneurial opportunities for African entrepreneurs and researchers.
“By harnessing innovation, embracing sustainability, and fostering collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector, we can create a thriving marine and blue economy that contributes significantly to Nigeria’s sustainable development.
“The Marine and Blue Economy represents a frontier of immense potential for Nigeria and indeed, all of Africa.
” It is a sector that, if harnessed correctly, can drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute significantly to our national and continental GDP”, the Minister said.
The minister, further stated that the blue economy sector promises a wealth of benefits for the growing youth population of the beloved nation.
According to him, the sector offered scope for innovation, sustainable growth, and fruitful entrepreneurial paths, saying the economic prospects offered by our blue economy are substantial and remarkable.
Other dignitaries at the Conference were the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Adebayo Someone Banire, Director-General, National Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola and Dr. Richard Akinola, the Chief of Staff to the Minister.
Nigeria has an expansive coastline of 853 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean and a maritime area of 46,000 square kilometers within the Gulf of Guinea.
Its marine resources are both vast and varied. Our exclusive economic zone spans over 200 nautical miles, achieving a recent extension of 16,300 square kilometers – approximately five times the size of Lagos State.
“Additionally, Nigeria features an extensive resource of inland waterways, with the potential to support an intra-regional trade sphere through a length of 10,000 kilometers.
“Strategically situated navigational routes link Africa with North and South America, Europe, and Asia, making the maritime sector a crucial catalyst of our nation’s economy.
“Thus, the blue economy sector promises a wealth of benefits for the growing youth population of our beloved nation, offering scope for innovation, sustainable growth, and fruitful entrepreneurial paths. The economic prospects offered by our blue economy are substantial and remarkable.”
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