The Federal Government has enlisted the support of the Nigerian Navy to identify pipelines that might hamper building of the Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi in a statement on Friday, said a place had already been chosen to build the seaport.
Amaechi made this known when the Nigerian navy led by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
This is even as the Nigerian Navy has intensified its push for a return to the nation’s seaports , after it was evicted in 1996.
“There’s a place we have chosen to build the seaport, we want to make sure there are no pipes in that location and en-route that location by vessels.
”We will be glad if you can work with us to identify where the pipes are in Bonny, so that we know where they are,” Amaechi said.
The minister also said the ministry was prepared to work with the navy to achieve maritime security in the country and would be glad to assist if it was within the authority he presided over.
He said :”If it’s something within my authority as the minister, we proceed and approve. If it’s above the minister, I will approach the President, so we can get the same approval.”
Ameachi lauded the Nigerian Military for their selfless service, culminating in the safety of the citizenry and protection of the territorial integrity of the nation.
Earlier, the chief of naval staff, reiterated the need for on the ground presence of an effective team of the navy at all seaports across the nation.
“Credible intelligence has it that since we left the ports about 1996, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons into our country is scary.
” But again, at every importation of fertiliser making materials or explosives for mining sites, the navy had to be invited.
“If NPA invites us at every opportunity to come and inspect these consignments and also ensure that they get to the destinations they are meant for and they are not diverted, then why not have us at the ports so that when the containers come in, they are not broached in the ports and subsequently after the inspection, we make sure they get to the right destination.
” But it has not gained the necessary traction, but I have written again to see that there is need for that.
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“Especially with the establishment of the Office of the National Coordinator on Small Arms and Light Weapons by the Office of the National Security Adviser,” Gambo said.
He equally appreciated the long standing support of the minister.
He said the launch of the Deep Blue project in 2021 by President Muhammadu Buhari had impacted on the navy’s ability to improve maritime security operations in Nigeria’s territorial waters.
The chief of naval staff invited the minister to visit the naval headquarters, Abuja and see the Nigerian navy’s Falcon Eye System.
Gambo said the system, a maritime surveillance facility, incorporated various sensors located along the nation’s enormous coastline, enabling it respond promptly to danger signals.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)/ reports that the ministry ‘s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, Sen. Abdulaziz Murtala Nyako, representing Adamawa Central District and other top echelon of the navy were present at the visit.
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