Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, has inaugurated the Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Thursday in Abuja, with a task to speed up the completion of the Deep Blue Project.
Deep Blue Project is a maritime security project, also known as the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, which aims to comprehensively tackle insecurity on Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, up to the Gulf of Guinea.
According to a statement signed by Philip Kyanet, head, Corporate Communications of NIMASA, Amaechi told the new board members that the Deep Blue Project was critical to maritime security in Nigeria and the entire West and Central Africa region.
He stated that about 60 percent of the project’s cost had been paid by the Federal Government, stressing that the success of NIMASA is, to a great extent, dependent on completion of the project.
Asita O. Asita, chairman of the Board, who thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the honour, pledged to work harmoniously with the NIMASA Management to deliver the Agency’s mandate.
“If we must trade as a country, we need the waterways to be safe. This is why the security of the maritime domain was of utmost importance to the country, and NIMASA cannot afford to play with the issues of safety and security,” he added.
Other members of the 10-member Board are Bashir Jamoh, director-general of NIMASA; Victor Ochei, executive director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services; Chudi Offodile, executive director, Finance and Administration; and Shehu Ahmed, executive director, Operations.
Also on the Board are Adekola Adefemi, Mohammed Abubakar, Hassan Rasaq Mahmud, Eyewumi Daniel Neburagho, and Rear Admiral Ibikunle Taiwo Olaiya.
