Determined to sustain improved safety of navigation on the country’s waters, the Nigerian Navy has partnered with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, in the area of hydrography and removal of wrecks.
This collaboration was disclosed when Abdullahi Mustapha, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command FOC-WNC, paid a familiarisation visit to NIMASA Headquarters.
Mustapha, during the visit, acknowledged the gains recorded from NIMASA’s longstanding partnership with the Nigerian Navy.
According to him, the longstanding and unwavering partnership NIMASA has maintained with the Nigerian Navy has culminated in the current tranquillity being witnessed within the Nigerian maritime domain, and it is a clear testament to the strength of this partnership.”
Mustapha said that enhanced information sharing through the integration of NIMASA’s C4i Centre with the Navy’s Falcon Eye system would significantly improve security within the nation’s maritime domain.
“I would like to use this opportunity to commend NIMASA for providing and maintaining platforms under the Deep Blue Project, which are operated by the Nigerian Navy. This has greatly enhanced our operations,” he said.
The Flag Officer further said that the two newly acquired hydrographic vessels, with the capability to identify the exact location and size of wrecks, would significantly enhance NIMASA’s operations in wreck removal.
“Utilising advanced vessels such as NNS Lana and NNS Ochuzor has undoubtedly contributed to improved safety standards within the maritime sector. It is therefore important that we jointly sustain these standards through deeper collaboration with NIMASA,” Mustapha added.
Dayo Mobereola, the DG/CEO NIMASA, described the improved security in Nigeria’s territorial waters as part of the Federal Government’s economic diversification policy.
Mobereola said that the maritime sector is at the forefront of the Federal Government’s economic diversification policy, and it is our shared obligation (NIMASA and the Navy) to deliver a safe and secure maritime space for maritime activities to thrive.
Accordingly, achieving optimum security levels in our maritime area is the backbone of these aims and is what gives shipping companies the confidence to invest in the sector.
The NIMASA DG also acknowledged the support of Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, noting that his unwavering commitment to the development of the Blue Economy sector has continued to yield results.
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