By Idu Jude
The Federal Government under President Mohammadu Buhari, said it has secured up ten convictions for various maritime offences since the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Act was signed into law in June 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari said Thursday in Lagos.

The President disclosed this at the official flag-off of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure in Nigeria also known as the Deep Blue Project at the ENL Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos.

‘‘I am confident that the project, which provides a robust maritime security architecture, will enhance maritime domain awareness capability and improve law enforcement action, particularly in the prosecution of suspects under the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Act which I signed into law in June 2019.

‘‘This Flag-off is an important step in the continuing shift in strategic action about regional maritime security.

‘‘It will serve as a benchmark for member states in the Gulf of Guinea and other relevant stakeholders to further develop innovative strategies and align efforts with the subsisting framework to improve maritime security in the region,’’ he said.

Calling for greater collaborations among countries in the Gulf of Guinea to secure Nigeria’s waters and beyond, President Buhari noted that the assemblage of the new maritime security assets was coming at a critical time when global discussions are centred on piracy activities and the new dimension it has taken in the region.

‘‘With the world’s waters accounting for over 80% of transportation requirements of the global economy, concerted efforts and innovative actions are required to address attendant security challenges.

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‘‘Therefore, the flag-off of the project marks an important milestone in this regard and in our collective effort to tackle security challenges in the form of piracy and other maritime crimes in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. It is also a demonstration of the government’s strong commitment to ensuring security.

‘‘This intervention, no doubt, will facilitate a conducive environment for the maritime sector to thrive and contribute to the diversification of the Nigerian economy,’’ he said.

The President commended the Ministers of Transportation, Defence, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Director-General NIMASA, members of the Steering Committee, the Project Management Team and all other government stakeholders who have worked together to bring this initiative of the administration to fruition.

Assuring of government’s commitment to ensure the project’s sustainability, the President urged all critical stakeholders to work collectively for the greater benefit of all Nigerians, member states of the Gulf of Guinea and the global maritime community.

At the inauguration, the President, who witnessed the demonstration of a range of assets to tackle maritime security, supervised the naming of two Vessels, Deep Blue Abuja (DB-Abuja) and Deep Blue Lagos (DB-Lagos) by the Minister of State, Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki.

While speaking earlier, the minister of Transportation Rt Honourable Chibuike Amaechi, reiterated the efforts of his leadership to stamp out all form of corruption in the system.
Amaechi remarked that people may not be aware of the Government disposition on carrying out certain actions in order to sanitize the system.

” Before we came in, there have been issues of sack of staff in the Maritime Industry and even during Obasanjo administration, some where sacked because they were involved in there hundred to four hundred million euros on the same thing we have bought. This particular project has sacked two Ministers. So if you think of sacking me, I will preferably want to ensure that these equipment are placed here. It was a failed procurement of maritime security Equipment. So, Mr President, we are not littered when people say we sack or recommend for investigation”

“When I took over in 2015, I took an assessment of the Nigeria economy and inline with the transportation system is n view of shea oil revolution of America with the effect of global warming and its effects on the global economy and the reality of the economy, we started scrambling for fussy fuel and alternative energy sources, which became the priority of the world I decided a device means to safeguard the Nigerian economy which is dependent on oil, ensuring Maritime security contributes in the sector.

The Minister further noted that Nigeria was number three in the world in Maritime security before his administration took over but since then has advanced to become number in the world now. He said that all goods coming to Nigeria from different parts of the world is like coming to a world zone.

” Mr. President, before this project was conceived I faced three separate committee and the reason was that people said that the contract belongs to me. Mr President Chibuike Amaechi does not influence Federal Government contract”
Amaechi said, his administration will continue to improve on the efforts already made.
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