This was disclosed by the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Bashir who was represented by his Special Assistant on Communications and Strategy, Ubong Essien stated that the recruitment exercise was part of the current drive to develop local capacity for improved operations.

“So, the 250 cadets are about to be sent for training as part of our commitment to developing manpower to man our many platforms that are coming on stream soon.

“We felt that we must develop our hands locally, which will have ripple effects on the nation’s economy,”

Jamoh explained that he was working hard to ensure the full implementation of his three-point agenda of boosting maritime security, safety, and shipping development.

He said that the new Deep Blue Project (DBP), which would be launched in the coming weeks, would rid the nation’s maritime environment of illegalities.

“The DBP is the nation’s Integrated Surveillance and Security Architecture that will sanitize our maritime industry.

“NIMASA is investing in air assets through the acquisition of three special mission helicopters; two special mission aircraft and four unmanned air vehicles.

“On maritime assets, the agency is also investing in two massive well-equipped special mission vessels that will patrol the high seas.

“The vessels have capacity to deploy about 17 fast-moving interceptor boats – which are designed for interdiction purposes should there be any crises requiring swift response.

“On human assets, we have well-trained Special Forces from the various security agencies, including, navy, army and police, among other security agencies,” he said.

The director-general noted that the agency had also integrated the services of the special police unit, C4I to run its intelligence-gathering centre.

According to him, the agency has invested in a computer command and control center that will be used to effectively monitor activities on the waterways.

Jamoh requested the support of the media to publicize the agency’s operations as well as educate the members of the public on activities of NIMASA.