By Ignatius Ushie
The Federal Government of Nigeria is to collaborate with the Republic of Korea on the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project deployed to protect the Gulf of Guinea from piracy and other Maritime crimes. This was contained in a statement by the Director Press in the Ministry of Transportation. Mr. Eric Ojiekwe.
The Honorable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, made this known when the 1st Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea (ROK), Mr. Choi Jong Kun paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
According to the statement, the Minister said, “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.”
Earlier, 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 groundwater but also it contributes to the regional security and stability of the International community”.
Furthermore, Kun said that they are interested in finding ways to secure the Gulf of Guinea, as Korea has strong fishery and Maritime presence there. He, therefore, 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.
