Harboursandport.com: Lagos - The Federal Republic of Nigeria has signed an Exchange of Note(E/N) with the Japanese Government for an Economic and Social Development Programme involving the acquisition of a High-Speed Boat to reinforce services for coastal security in Nigeria, with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, as the implementing partner.
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Honorable Minister of State Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba (middle); Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, His Excellency Kazuyoshi Matsunaga (left) and Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh during the signing of an Exchange of Note (E/N) with the Japanese Government for the Economic and Social Development Programme in Abuja.
The Honorable Minister of State Federal Ministry
of Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba signed on behalf of Nigeria,
while the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, His
Excellency Kazuyoshi Matsunaga signed on behalf of the Japanese Government,
with the Director-General of NIMASA Dr. Bashir Jamoh in attendance.
Prince Agba noted that the procurement of the High-Speed Boat worth $2.78, will greatly enhance the operations of the Deep Blue
project. He commended the Japanese government for their interest and
interventions in Nigeria for Economic development.
“This project to strengthen the operations of NIMASA
will definitely strengthen the partnership between the
Government of Japan and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
"Nigeria also appreciates the recent exchange of
notes we signed for Emergency Improvement of Electricity Supply Facilities in
Abuja, and the role Japan played in the development of the National Power
Development Master-plan designed to guide the Government on the optimal energy
mix and efficiency for Nigeria”. The Honorable Minister said.
On his part, the Director-General of NIMASA Dr. Bashir
Jamoh, assured the Japanese Government that the Agency working with relevant
stakeholders will ensure the sustainability of the recent success in the war
against piracy in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
“This High-Speed Boat is a welcome addition to our
growing arsenal of platforms and assets to reinforce service for coastal
security, not only in Nigeria but also in the Gulf of Guinea, as over 60% of
shipping activities in the region pass through Nigerian waters".
“This vessel will be incorporated into the Deep Blue
project which already has 2 special Mission Vessels; 2 Special Mission
Aircrafts; 3 Special Mission Helicopters; 10 Unmanned Air Systems and vehicles;
17 fast-moving interceptor boats; 16 armoured vehicles and the C4i centre.”
Ambassador Matsunaga Kazuyoshi noted the project is to
support the measures adopted by the Nigerian Government to deal with the threat
of the blue economy, to prevent and suppress piracy, armed robbery, and any
other unlawful act against ships in Nigerian waters.
The Ambassador said “in the Gulf of Guinea, as you
know, the piracy problem is hindering the economic development of the coastal
areas. A slowdown in economic development impoverishes the coastal population,
forcing some of them into piracy for their livelihood. We need to break this
vicious cycle.”
Economic and Social Development is one of the guiding principles of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, TICAD. “The people and Government of Japan hope this project will enable NIMASA to reinforce their operations and services for coastal security in Nigeria, strengthen Nigeria’s counter-piracy efforts and prove useful for the security of the Gulf of Guinea.
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