Headlines
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.
![]() 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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Customs
Customs, UN agency collaborate to fight smuggling

“On behalf of the entire Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service, I wish to inform you that we will partner with you in this campaign, and we will grant you all forms of support you may need to carry out this campaign — and I want to assign one of our amiable DCGs, Abba Kura, to work with you closely.”
He appreciated how they traveled from afar to inform the Nigeria Customs Service of their campaign against smuggling, which, according to him, the Nigeria Customs Service has already started yielding positive results in suppressing the menace of smuggling.
The CGC also welcomed Dr Raymond’s offer to engage officers and men of the Service in capacity—building to enhance their understanding of digital literacy skills, adding that the Service has already started embracing technology to advance its work by introducing related courses to officers.
The CGC appreciated the collaborative effort between the Nigeria Customs Service and UN—Habitat and believes that the collaboration signifies a commitment to tackling smuggling and enhancing trade facilitation in the nation, setting the stage for a more prosperous future.
He also appreciated their pledge to train officers and men of the Service in digital literacy skills, assuring that the Service will continue to prioritize proficiency in the fight against smuggling through a technological approach.
He underscored the importance of digital skills, promising that the relevant Service department will enhance trade facilitation.
On his part, the Director of UN—Habitat, Dr. Raymond Edoh, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reposing the responsibility of heading the Nigeria Customs Service on the Acting Comptroller-General, describing him as “a competent Customs officer who knows the terrain and masters the job.”
According to him, they decided to visit the Ag. CGC at the Customs Headquarters to express their interest in partnering with the Service.
He appreciated the Service for being a “gatekeeper of the country” that protects citizens against border threats, stressing that his organization will collaborate with NCS to mitigate the smuggling of illicit goods and train officers and men of Customs on digital literacy skills and certification.
UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for developing urban policies and translating them into action to create sustainable cities and promote viable urban development and adequate shelter for all.
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