Piracy: NIMASA takes delivery of Special Mission Helicopters, begins training for operatives in Cyprus, Portugal

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has taken delivery of some of its deepblue assets which includes Special Mission Aircrafts,  as part of its Deep Blue Project which seeks to ensure secured and safer Nigerian waterways.

Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh announced this on Sunday, saying that the deep blue assets are currently being transported to a secure location to be re-assembled deployment in a matter of days.

Dr. Jamoh assured that these NIMASA Special Mission Helicopters will alongside the Special Mission Aircrafts & UAV Drone System collectively constitute the air component of NIMASA’s Integrated Maritime Security architecture.

“We are committed to policing our waters for our economic prosperity,” he said

Speaking earlier on Friday during the 5th Quadrennial National Delegate Conference of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Dr Jamoh had announced that officials to man the deep blue assets are already being trained in Cyprus and Portugal.

Represented by the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Victor Ochei,  he said “The deep blue cut across not just NIMASA, but NIMASA is championing it as we speak. However, the deployment of our assets have just started as regards ceding of the secure anchorage to NIMASA.

“Now we must ensure that the anchorage is properly protected so we deploy some of the assets of the blue deep project to ensure protection and security of our waters.

“But as we speak, people are being trained now in Cyprus and Portugal so that by the time they are done, you will see a very secured maritime domain.”