The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, has sought enhanced cooperation with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The cooperation is to strengthen tactical air support for the Deep Blue Project.
Mr Mobereola made the appeal during a visit to the NAF Headquarters in Abuja, according to a statement by the agency’s Head of Public Relations, Edward Osagie.
Speaking with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, Mr Mobereola described the Air Force as a strategic partner in sustaining maritime security gains.
He said, “We are here to seek the Air Force’s support, given the importance of tactical air surveillance to the Deep Blue Project. Nigeria is the only African country with zero piracy in four years. Deep Blue platforms achieved this in the Gulf of Guinea. We need collaboration to sustain it.”
He noted that international trade depends on security, as vessels prefer routes through countries where maritime safety is assured.
He stated, “With current traffic, we must project stronger security through collaboration to enhance trade viability, given risks along our route. We need these partnerships to sustain achievements recorded under the Deep Blue Project.”
He expressed confidence that closer collaboration with the Air Force would significantly reduce response times to maritime threats.
Responding, Air Marshal Aneke, said the Air Force was ready to work “step by step and side by side” with NIMASA to achieve shared objectives.
Mr Aneke said, “Collaboration can be strengthened through a joint strategic framework, integrated command structures and a standing steering committee for accountability.”
He proposed establishing a joint maritime domain awareness fusion cell to enable real-time intelligence sharing and faster responses across territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone.
Mr Aneke added that the Air Force could deploy its ISR platforms, provide tactical air support and undertake rapid airborne deployments for interdictions and search and rescue missions.
He thanked NIMASA for providing basic training to Air Force pilots under the Deep Blue Project.
The air chief highlighted operational challenges, including communication gaps between operators and the need for advanced maintenance training.
He also cited aircraft fuelling delays and shortages of flying kits as issues requiring urgent attention.
Mr Mobereola pledged to address the concerns and assured that renewed collaboration would accelerate progress significantly.
(NAN)