Reps Commend NIMASA For Transparency In Deep Blue Project

·       As Project Earns International Recognition

House of Representatives Committee on the Nigerian Navy has commended the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency  (NIMASA) for its commitment to transparency in the execution of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure (INSWPI), otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project.

Its Chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, gave the commendation when the management of NIMASA appeared before the House Committee on Navy currently investigating the Deep Blue Contract awarded to the HLS International Limited.
“The committee commends the management team at NIMASA for providing all documents we requested, which 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, Alao Ajala, expressed delight at the fact that Nigeria has exited the global piracy list, adding that his position was re-echoed by most members of the committee who acknowledged the role of the Nigerian Navy in securing the nation’s territorial waters.
In his presentation, Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the agency acted in line with approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to fund the Deep Blue Project WITH $195 million and a management fee of 10 per cent, adding that the National Assembly earlier appropriated funds invested in managing the assets since their deployment.

He also disclosed that the Korean Government identified with the Deep Blue Project saying: “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.”

Jamoh listed assets acquired by NIMASA for the project to include 17 Fast Intervention Vessels, two Special Mission Vessels, two Special Mission Aircrafts, three Special Mission Helicopters, four unmanned aerial vessels and 16 armoured vehicles.

The project also has a command and control centre known as the C4i Centre located in a NIMASA facility in Lagos, 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
In a related development, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed that Nigeria has received an international award from the African Union (AU) for the Deep Blue Project.
Speaking at the investigative hearing on the Deep Blue Project Contract to HLS International Limited, by the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, the minister said necessary approvals were secured before the implementation of the Deep Blue Project.
He said: “I was to be in Nairobi last week, as the African Union recognised us for the Deep Blue Project. Presently, the crime rate in our waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GOG) region has reduced. Before now, we ranked first in the world, but since the deployment of the HLSI project, piracy has reduced drastically.”