600 Special Forces In Training For  Deep Blue Project – NIMASA

The Management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) says  over 600 personnel  from security agencies including the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and Department of State Security, are undergoing training for special skills to ensure effective implementation of the Deep Blue Project.
The Director General of NIMASA,  Bashir Jamoh, disclosed this to the Minister of Transport, Mauzu Jaji Sambo, during a tour of facilities in Lagos.
He also informed the Minister that under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) scheme, over 2,000 Nigerians have undergone training, out of which about 800 are actively engaged on various ships, with a huge number of them working on the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) ships.
NIMASA, the Director General said, is developing a National Ship Building and Infrastructure Development Strategy, aimed at bridging the gap of capacity building for trained seafarers.
Jamoh  noted that the intention is to ensure that the nation’s waterways remain safe from all forms of criminalities.
Other achievements listed includes: Enhanced Maritime Safety administration through effective Ports and Flag states inspection on foreign and Nigerian flagged vessels, as well as enforcement of safety regulations on barges and tug boats through Operation Sting Ray.
There is also reactivation of online seafarers Certificate of Competency verification platform, and commenced activities towards ensuring GHG emission reduction in the maritime sector with an emphasis on achieving 0.5% Sulphur Oxide (SO2) in Bunker fuel oil.
Jamoh thanked the Minister for his dynamic leadership in steering the affairs of the Ministry, assuring that the Agency remains committed to actualising its mandate as stipulated in the four enabling Acts of the National assembly for a robust and attractive maritime sector in Nigeria.
He further used the opportunity to intimate the Minister of some of the activities of the Agency in realising a robust maritime sector which include: obtaining approval for physical and monetary incentives for ship owners to purchase brand new vessels at zero duty, and assisting them get foreign exchange at the Central Bank of Nigeria rate.
Earlier, the Minister, Mauzu Sambo, undertook a tour of the NIMASA Maritime Stakeholders experience Contact Center (MSECC).
The 24 hour Center serves as a platform for both internal and external stakeholders to resolve any issue within the stipulated 24 hours.