By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Nigeria is collaborating with the Republic of Korea on the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project to deploy security architecture for the protection of the Gulf of Guinea from piracy and other maritime crimes.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, made this known today when the 1st Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs , Republic of Korea (ROK) , Mr. Choi Jong Kun paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja
“We met in my office and discussed quite a lot that has to do with Maritime relationship, especially the Deep Blue Project. We concluded to collaborate and he promised some support and assistance from the government of the Republic of Korea.” the Minister said in a statement signed by the Eric Ojiekwe, Director Press & PR in the Ministry.
Also speaking, the 1st Vice Minister, Foreign Affairs, ROK, Choi Jong Kun expressed his country’s interest in the Deep Blue Project, saying “We commend the Minister and the Ministry’s initiative and the relentless implementation of the project, also because it increases the Maritime Security of Nigeria especially in the ground water but also it contributes to the regional security and stability of the International community”.
Kun further stated that the Korean government is interested in finding ways to secure the Gulf of Guinea, as Korea has strong fishery and Maritime presence there. He promised to support the Nigerian government to tackle Maritime Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Korean diplomat disclosed that the Korean government plans to host a Joint Commission with Nigeria sometime in October in Seoul, Korea.“We want the Minister of Transportation to be part of the Joint Commission, so that in Seoul, we talk about maritime security on the Gulf of Guinea”, he said.
In attendance were the Nigerian Ambassador to Korea, Ali Mohammed Magashi, Directors of the Ministry of Transportation amongst others.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buahari had in June, unveiled a $195 million maritime security architecture under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, otherwise called the Deep Blue project.
The move was to curtail rising cases of kidnapping, oil theft, illegal bunkering, smuggling and illegal trafficking in drugs and persons in the Gulf of Guinea, especially Nigeria.Nigerian territorial waters have been described as the most volatile in the Gulf of Guinea, accounting for almost half of the 38 piracy incidences reported in the first quarter of 2021. These pirates had often kidnapped crews for ransom in the region.
Other contries around the Gulf of Guinea include Benin, Ghana, Togo, Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Angola.
