Navy deploys Deep Blue assets to secure Nigerian waters

The Nigerian Navy says assets acquired by NIMASA under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, otherwise known as the Deep Blue project, have been fully deployed. This is contained in a statement by the Acting Fleet Commander, Western Naval Command and Commander Deep Blue Project, Commodore Victor Choji, in Lagos at the weekend. He said the deployment was across the South West, Central and Eastern Zonal operations to enhance patrol of the Nigerian maritime domain. Choji made the declaration during a working visit by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mohammed Abdullahi to the Management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). He added that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla was fully committed to the success of the Deep Blue Project. “The assets have already been well deployed; as we speak five armored vehicles are deployed in Port Harcourt and three in Bonny. “The project team deployed 10 more vehicles there, in addition to a drone unit in Bonny and some personnel,” the commander added. According to him, the mere presence of the deep blue assets in those locations during the last General election provided the needed inference required. Choji also said that in the Central Zone Command, the Navy had deployed three units of special mission elements in Brass and two of the interceptor boats, and a special intervention force to the central command. “In Lagos, just last week, we got a directive that there is a requirement and we are about to deploy two interceptor boats to support the operations that are ongoing in Lagos Inland waters. “I can state categorically that we have the full backing of the Nigerian Navy for the success of the Deep Blue Project,” Choji said. On his part, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, said that the assets acquired by the agency under the Deep Blue Project were being managed by a project team headed by a Commodore of the Nigerian Navy. He restated the Agency’s commitment to a robust relationship with the Nigerian Navy towards the economic development of the country. “I believe that the agency and the Nigerian Navy have a lot in common to ensure safety and security in the nation’s waters. “While the Nigerian Navy takes care of the kinetic operations, NIMASA concentrates on non-kinetic operations, and the two will have to go hand in hand if we must succeed. “If you look at the Armed Forces Act, the Nigerian Navy has a role to play in ensuring the implementation and enforcement of the NIMASA and Customs and Excise Acts,” he said. Jamoh expressed the desire of NIMASA to earn full value for funds invested and invest more in the operations of the Deep Blue Project. He said that the agency was in constant liaison with the National Assembly to update of the nation’s maritime laws with particular reference to the Merchant Shipping Act. This, he said, was to guarantee adequate punitive measures to deter criminalities on Nigerian waters. While commending the Nigerian Navy for their efforts in tracking erring vessels which switched off their Automatic Identification System, AIS, Jamoh called for improved synergy among all organs of government in the maritime sector. “Particularly, the Nigerian Navy and the marine arm of the Nigerian Police to quickly tackle head on, pockets of recent criminalities in the Lagos anchorage and inland waters,” he said. 

Grids deployment to small communities expanding productive activities- FFEAA

The Foundation for Economic Advocacy and Advancement (FFEAA) has said that thousands of grids deployed in small communities across Nigeria has increased electricity generated and expansion in productive activities. FFEAA said this while reacting to recent press release issued by the Coalition of West African Investigative Journalists (COWAFIJ) calling for investigation into the spending of over $550million repayable grant by Nigeria Electrification Project, NEP, a unit in Rural Electrification Agency, REA. FFEAA in a statement signed by its National Publicity Officer, Mr. Dolapo Olanrewaju described the entire press conference by COWAFIJ as an attempt at ridiculing the giant strides of the REA under Engr Salihijo Ahmad. FFEAA describing COWAFIJ as an arm of the opposition committed to rubbishing the Federal Government stride in the power sector,l.  The NGO reminded critics of the World Bank efforts at providing alternative sources of power for rural electrification in the country through an additional commitment of $750m grant to Nigeria. World Bank’s Director of Strategy and Operations for Western Central African Region,Elizabeth Huybens had announced the plan of the World Bank to further strengthen Nigeria’s rural electrification success by an additional $750M, during her visit to inspect the 60KwP Mini-Grid Project in Kilankwa Community in Abuja. FFEAA maintains that the successes of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification drive have been hinged on the leadership of Engr Ahmad Salihijo, who has constantly pursued the vision and goal of the agency through unalloyed hunger to fulfill the dreams of millions of Nigerians who desire to be connected to electricity. He said “As of today, millions of kids can study at night, because of access to electricity. There can be no modern life without electricity and it is hard to think about reducing poverty without access to electricity,” the statement added. FFEAA reiterated the commendations made by Rep Philip Agbese (APC), the lawmaker representing Ado/ Okpokwu/ Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, during his courtesy visit to REA.  “During the courtesy visit, the Honorable had applauded Engr Salihijo Ahmad on the agency’s post-subsidy removal initiatives, in providing solar energy alternatives to Nigerians in a bid to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on businesses, farmers and households. FFEAA alleges that the untiring propaganda against the Engr Salihijo led REA, are the attempts of opposition mischief makers, and corrupt individuals in the power sector who are currently being investigated for various degrees of fraud by the EFCC, and who wish to bring down Engr Salihijo.  “They insist that after a flawless administration of the World Bank funds by Engr Salihijo and his REA team, and a clean sheet of affairs, the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima GCON offered him an audience to provide an update on the advancements within the nation’s renewable energy sector. “During the meeting with the Vice President, the CEO of REA, presented a comprehensive overview of REA’s strategic initiatives, notable achievements in Nigeria’s off-grid renewable energy sector, and outlined the agency’s proposed measures to mitigate the impacts of the recent removal of fuel subsidy,” He said.

IGP deploys newly promoted Frank Mba, Bala Ciroma, others

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Baba Alkali has approved the deployment  of the two newly promoted Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIG), Frank Mba and Bala Ciroma to departments. The Force Public Relations Officer,  CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. He said Mba had been deployed  to head the Department of Research and Planning while Ciroma was deployed to head the Department of Training and Development Adejobi said Mr Hafiz Inuwa, a DIG had also been redeployed to head the Department of Logistics and Supply. According to Adejobi, with the recent elevation, Ciroma has become the supervising DIG for the North-East and Mba, the supervisory DIG for the South-East Geo political zone. The police spokesman said the IGP also approved the posting/redeployment of 17 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to various commands and formations. He said the posting are Abubakar Lawal,  AIG Zone 10 Sokoto, Abdul Umar, AIG Zone 15 Maiduguri, Williams Adebowale, AIG Zone 7 Abuja, Shettima Zanna, AIG Armament FHQ Abuja,  Ebong Eyibio Ebong, AIG Zone 17 Akure and Adepoju Ilori, AIG Maritime Lagos. Others are Okon Effiong, AIG FCID Annex Kaduna, Echeng Echeng,  AIG Zone 9 Umuahia, Susan Horsefall, Commandant Staff College Jos,  Bankole Sikiru, AIG DFA FHQ Abuja, Oladimeji Olanrewaju, AIG Zone 11 Osogbo and Odama Ojeka, AIG FEDOPS FHQ, Abuja. Adejobi said other AIGs deployed are Shehu Gwarzo, AIG Forensic, Yekini Ayoku, AIG R&P, FHQ Abuja, Yahaya Abubakar, AIG FCID Alagbon Lagos, Umar Sanda, AIG Zone 1 Kano and Ede Ayuba, AIG CTU FHQ Abuja. Adejobi said the Police Boss urged the senior police officers to continue to entrench professionalism and respect for rights of citizens in their new places of assignment. He also called on the officers to pursue the task of ensuring public safety and security in their areas of responsibilities with renewed vigour.