Maritime security: 80 per cent of Deep Blue assets ready by June

In an effort to comprehensively tackle insecurity on Nigeria’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, the director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, has revealed that 80 per cent of the Deep Blue assets will be ready by June of 2020.

The NIMASA DG stated this in Lagos during a recent news conference held ahead of the launch of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also called the Deep Blue Project.

The director-general while giving a breakdown of the assets being installed under the Deep Blue Project, revealed that a good number of the assets had arrived the country, including six interceptor boats and a special mission vessel, saying a second one would come in before the end of February.

The director-general also disclosed that the first special mission aircraft would be in the country before the end of the first quarter of the year, while six armoured aircraft were already in the country, and the first unmanned aerial vehicle would come in before the end of February.

Dakuku stated, “We expect the first helicopter in the first quarter of this year. Almost all the communication gadgets are in the country as well as the Personal Protective Gear (PPG). The C4i centre is fully operational in Kirikiri, the NIMASA Research Centre. Those are the assets we have on the ground.

“However, between now and June this year, over 80 will would be in the country and they would be manned by Nigerian military.”

Dakuku stated that the training aspect of the project had since commenced in phases. He said the first set of training for C4i operators and intelligence officers had been concluded. Basic infantry training for soldiers who would fight on land around the littoral areas has also been concluded and the soldiers awaiting deployment, according to him.

“These trainings would continue over time as we try to integrate the intelligence officers with the C4i and those operating the special mission vessels and aircraft,” Dakuku said.