By Chinonye Anyatonwu
The Honourable Minister Of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo commends graduands of the Third Batch Maritime Security Unit Technicians and Mechanics of the MSU and UAVs Armoured Personnel Carriers.The Minister made the commendation during the graduation which held at Nigeria Military Base, Elele, Rivers State.
Sambo said the graduands deserve commendations as their roles would be critical to dismantling the activities of criminals.
“I warmly welcome you all to yet another graduation ceremony of the Deep Blue Project personnel. Today we certify and celebrate another group of personnel whose responsibilities are critical to the overall success of this Project.
“An intelligence mapping of the activities of pirates and sea criminals revealed that most pirates and sea robbery attacks are planned on land, executed on Land and the proceeds are also taken to the land.
“Therefore, the activities of the Maritime Security Unit, especially their logistics which is made possible by the armoured personnel carriers’ technicians are very critical and indispensable in the entire Deep Blue Architecture due to their role in dismantling the operational structures of these criminals,” he said.
The Minister revealed that a total number of 126 Batch 3 personnel comprising of 94 Maritime Security Unit, 22 UAVs, 10 Armoured Mechanics and Technicians were graduating.
He said the three batches so far has produced a total of 337 graduates including 24 foreign trained pilots.
Sambo said intelligence would require some degree of intervention to comprehensively forestall or address the situation, regardless of how good and accurate it is.
He said the intelligence provided by the various platforms of the Deep Blue are acted upon by the maritime Security Unit but the armoured vehicles technicians facilitate the prompt movement of troops to confront the criminals.
“The armoured personnel carrier is very strategic and crucial for the entire Deep Blue Operation especially its role in extracting and preserving evidences for prosecution of criminals.
“In the last few months, you have been subjected to various training modules and tactical maneuver operations. You have offered yourselves wholly to this course even in the most discomforting moments and circumstances to ensure that this Project succeeds.
“The Federal Government, particularly NIMASA does not take your sacrifices lightly.
“Let me inform you that all parties to this Project are sincerely working hard to give this project a good start, including your goodselves.
“This Project as you are aware, is the first of its kind and we are doing so many things for the first time as a civilian agency of government working with military agencies.
“I wish to commend you for your endurance during the rigorous training activities and for the gallantry you have displayed from inception leading to your graduation and certification today in your respective areas of specialization,” he said.
Sambo further appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his unflinching support and the Nigerian Army for hosting the personnel in their facilities throughout the training period.
He also commended the Deep Blue Project Contractors, the HLSi Ltd for fulfilling their own obligations in the training of the personnel as provided in the contract.
Sambo said the graduating personnel would be subsequently deployed to various operational locations.
“I charge you to maintain a very high spirit in the discharge of your duties. On our part, we shall not drop our poise in ensuring all your welfare issues are expeditiously addressed,”he said.
The Honourable Minister said the Deep Blue Project was initiated to achieve several objectives such as; Prevention of illegal activities in the Nigerian EEZ, Enforcement of maritime regulations, Enhancing the safety of lives at sea and Prevention of illegal activities in the Niger Delta area, (the back waters) at sea and inland waterway.
Sambo charged the graduands to be professional and steadfast in all their engagements adding that their operations are predominantly in the Niger Delta region known for huge oil and gas activities
“Your operations are predominantly in the Niger Delta region known for huge oil and gas activities with attendant propensity for crisis.
“You must therefore be very professional and steadfast in all your engagement in the region, firmly holding on the rules of engagement.
“We all shall continue to work as a team in ensuring that the strategic objectives of the Federal Government for establishing the Deep Blue Project is achieved for the good of all Nigerians,” he said.
Sambo expressed confidence that the days ahead will be known for peace on the waters with guaranteed maritime development, wealth creation and economic prosperity of the nation.
