Transport

 Maritime Deep Blue Project To Secure All Anchorage Areas soon to take off  

…As NIMASA, NPA Agree On Wreck Removal To Ease Navigation

By Foster Obi

Federal Government’s plan to make the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also called the Deep Blue Project, the central security structure for all anchorage areas in the Nigerian maritime domain will soon be a reality. The project is designed to reduce the cost of shipping of goods into the country.

Philip Kyanet , Head, Corporate Communications, NIMASA made this disclosure in a press statement after the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman,  met with the Executive Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) led by the Director General Dr. Bashir Jamoh, at the Agency’s Headquarters in Lagos.

The statement said the NPA MD also disclosed that both Agencies have agreed to work out modalities for effective removal of all wrecks and derelicts that may hinder navigations in the Nigerian waters.

“According to the NPA MD, NIMASA and NPA are sister Agencies and should be seen to be collaborating more for the growth of the maritime industry and the country generally. She also disclosed that arrangements are in top gear to berth the NIMASA floating Dockyard permanently in order for it to commence operations in July.

“We had a range of discussions bordering on the Secure Anchorage Area which our supervising Ministry desires the Deep Blue Project to provide security for all anchorage areas in the country. Aside saving the country a lot of money, it will ensure that the security of the Nigerian Maritime domain is given a focal attention”.

Pix: L-R: Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chudi Offodile, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh and Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services during the official first visit of NPA’s MD to NIMASA Headquarters, June 23, 2020