Nigeria improves maritime security with hi-tech assets

Both organisations are intensifying efforts to protect, interdict, and deter threats around vessels anchored in the Secure Anchorage Area (SAA), off Lagos.

Director-General, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, made this known in Lagos during a visit by officials of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN).

Jamoh said the effort was included in the deployment of assets under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also called the Deep Blue Project.

The deployment is on-going with the primary aim of providing security on the waters and the Gulf of Guinea and tackling the security challenges in shipping.

We are deploying high-tech assets under the Deep Blue Project to not only deal with piracy and armed robbery in our territorial waters frontally, but also respond to the increasing sophistication of these maritime crimes

The DG, who spoke in response to security concerns raised by SAN following the cancellation of the SAA contract by President Muhammadu Buhari and transfer of the job to NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, said there was no security vacuum in the sector.

“I can assure you that there is no security vacuum in our waters. From what I know, the SAA is more protected than ever before. The Nigerian Navy recently deployed 14 warships to enhance security in the area and the wider maritime domain. Other assets, including special mission vessels, interceptor boats, and special mission aircraft, are also being deployed under the Deep Blue Project

He also added that NIMASA was networking with international bodies, such as INTERTANKO and INTERCARGO, to ensure security in the Gulf of Guinea, with the Yaoundé-based International Coordination Centre (ICC) also playing a central role.

What is more, the spokesperson for the group and Managing Director of Mediterranean Shipping Company, Andrew Lynch, had urged the NIMASA management to intensify measures to maintain security in the SAA.