NIMASA DG meets Customs Boss over trapped Deep Blue Project assets at port

Abiola Seun

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Customs Service have agreed on modalities for seamless and timely delivery of the Deep Blue Project assets currently at the ports.

The agreement was reached in a meeting between the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.), in Abuja today.

According to the CG of Customs, “because of the peculiarities of the urgent need of these assets, there is a need to find a common ground that would assist in the full deployment of these assets”

While appreciating the Comptroller General for the efforts to clear the Deep Blue Project assets still at the ports, Dr Jamoh urged the Customs to share information and capacity with the Agency to ensure successful implementation of the Deep Blue Project.

The NIMASA DG also raised the issue of the Modular Floating Dock, which he described as a public asset to be managed by the ICRC.

He said, “The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) is fully involved in the process to select a management partner for the Modular Floating Dockyard. We urge the Nigerian Customs to see and treat the asset as a national asset that should enjoy some concession in terms of duties.”

“When it becomes operational, hundred of direct jobs will be created and thousands of indirect employment will also be created”

The meeting took place at the office of the Comptroller General in Abuja.