NIMASA To Deploy Deep Blue Assets As Fear Grip Shipowners Over Insecurity At Lagos Anchorage
By DAPO OLAWUNI
There are fresh indications that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) would now deploy maritime security assets acquired under the Deep Blue Project to secure the Lagos Anchorage Area following the recent disbandment of a security contract operated by Ocean Marine Solutions Limited.
DAILY TREND NEWS gathered that ships were dropping anchor 200 nautical miles away from Nigeria because they were scared, some of them decided to go to Togo and Benin to discharge their cargoes, a situation that is detrimental to Nigerian economy.
The situation caused the Federal Government to direct that even though it is yet to receive the entire assets under the Deep Blue Project, the ones on ground, which is about 80% completed, should be deployed without further delay.
With the cancellation of the Secure Anchorage Contract, there was nobody at the Lagos Anchorage to maintain law and order.
According to Dryad Global update on the Lagos anchorage security, NIMASA is now set to deploy security assets to provide security for the Lagos Secure Anchorage Area (SAA)
“NIMASA will deploy DB LAGOS and DB ABUJA with 8 Fast Interceptor attack boats to Lagos anchorage within this week to kickstart the project”
“DB Lagos and DB Abuja are multipurpose security surveillance vessels acquired by the government through the Integrated National security and waterways protection infrastructures project otherwise called Deep Blue Project. Both vessels are 2019 built especially for this project and all the fast interceptor boats are all new assets”
“The Deep Blue Project is a 195 Million Dollar project of the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide comprehensive maritime security within the Nigerian maritime domain and gulf of guinea. The project assets will include Unmanned Arial Vehicles (Drones), Hybrid multipurpose surveillance vessels, helicopters, special aircraft, Fast interceptor surveillance boats etc”
“NIMASA will share with stakeholders the mode of operations, reporting detail for vessels entering the SAA and if any charges will be applicable to sustain the project” Dryad Global stated
Reliable sources however hinted our correspondent that Nigerian Navy officers that are supposed to take over the assets are yet to be fully trained on how to mount the sophisticated platforms.
