Nicolas Martinez, European Union (EU) ambassador and senior coordinator for the Gulf of Guinea, has commended Nigeria for providing leadership role in the fight against criminality in the Gulf of Guinea.
The commendation came at the end of a working visit to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) by the EU delegation which inspected assets under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, otherwise known as the deep blue project.
Martinez noted that the EU remains a committed partner to the Gulf of Guinea region and would continue to provide extensive and targeted assistance to strengthen the critical features of the Yaoundé security architecture while cementing the long-standing relationship between ECOWAS member states, like Nigeria and the EU.
“We support Nigeria’s leadership in the regional quest to end piracy and other maritime crimes. You can count on the EU as we are fully supportive of the Yaounde Infrastructure. We urge Nigeria to share experience with other countries in the region. It is obvious from the results so far that Nigeria, providing leadership for other countries, is winning the war against piracy,” he said.
Bashir Jamoh, the director-general NIMASA, said the recent removal of Nigeria from the piracy list by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) was as a result of collective efforts of various stakeholders within and outside of the country.
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“It is not yet time to celebrate. Now, the focus for us at NIMASA is sustainability. The improved intelligence gathering and sharing among all stakeholders played a major role in the results we are witnessing now. Our Deep Blue Project, the SPOMO Act enacted by the National Assembly, the convictions of criminals under the SPOMO Act, the commitment of the Nigerian Navy and other military arms of the Nigerian Armed Forces, not forgetting the support from the international community, all led to the reduction of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.
To sustain the tempo, Jamoh said NIMASA is working on an International Maritime Sustainability Conference, which will hold in Abuja later in the year, and to have a comprehensive National Maritime policy for Nigeria.
Jamoh disclosed that the Japanese government has pledged $2.4 million to support the Deep Blue Project just as the Korean government has donated a warship to NIMASA to add to the fleet of the Deep Blue Project.
The EU delegation comprising in the company of the NIMASA DG and senior management staff of the Agency, conducted an inspection tour of Deep Blue Project assets at the Nigerian Navy Diving School. They also witnessed an organised drill by the Nigerian Navy showcasing some of the assets in action.
The Deep Blue Project was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Defence while being implemented by NIMASA. It is aimed at securing Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea.
