From left: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, His Excellency Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, Director General of NIMASA Dr Bashir Jamoh and Minister of  State for the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba during the signing of the deal in Abuja.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed  a $2.78million (about N1.7billion) Exchange of Note (E/N) with the Japanese Government for an economic and social development programme involving the acquisitio n of high-speed boats as part of efforts to  enhance maritime security under the Deep Blue Project. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA is the implementing partner.

Minister of  State for the 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 million dollars, 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, which is to strengthen the operations of NIMASA, will definitely strengthen the partnership between Nigeria and Japan.

“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 Minister said.

While speaking at the event, the DG Dr 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 in 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 two special Mission Vessels; two Special Mission Aircrafts; three Special Mission Helicopters; 10 Unmanned Air Systems and vehicles; 17 fast moving interceptor boats; 16 armoured vehicles and the C4i centre.”

Ambassador 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 reinforce its 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 region”, ambassador also said.