By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Japanese government has supported Nigeria’s Maritime Security with sum of $2.78m as financial aid for the procurement of high speed boats to combat piracy in the nation’s watersways.
Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba disclosed this during the signing of Exchange of Notes between the two governments in Abuja.
Agba said, “it is heartwarming to note that the Japanese government is supporting Nigeria’s security infrastructure Deep Blue project” to combat piracy in the gulf of Guinea.”
Agba explained that the grant is to reinforce operations and service of the coastal security and the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.
The minister also stated that the project which was inaugurated by President Buhari was aimed at addressing decades of piracy and other maritime crimes, which had been a source of worry to the government.
Agba added that Maritime crimes had also led to Nigeria shippers being surcharged by multinational shipping lines bringing goods into the country.
The Minister noted that with the launching of the Deep Blue Project, Nigeria was very much prepared to wage war against privacy and other related maritime crimes on the nation’s territorial waters and Gulf of Guinea as well as strengthen Nigeria’s counter piracy efforts.
He commended the Japanese government for the gesture, stating that ‘Nigeria has been removed from the privacy list by the international Maritime bureau due to the collective supports and stakeholders.
The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria,Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, the Japanese at the signing ceremony disclosed that his government had embarked on the project to help stem the privacy problem in the Gulf of Guinea which had been hindering the economic development of the coastal area.
Kazuyoshi said, ” a slowdown in economic development impoverishes the coastal population, forcing some of them into piracy for their livelihood. We need to break this vicious circle. ”
He expressed satisfaction at the Nigerian Government’s determination and leadership in eradicating piracy.
He said, “we are very much looking forward to the procurement of the maritime security equipment (high-speed boats) that Will further support the ” Deep Blue Project” of Nigerian government.”
Director General NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, welcomed the high-speed Boat as additional efforts to reinforce coastal security not only in Nigeria but also in the Gulf of Guinea as over 60% shipping activities are transverse the Nigerian waters.
