The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Navy are perfecting plans to integrate the Command, Control, Computer Communication and Information (C4i) Centre of the Deep Blue Project with the Falcon Eye of the Nigerian Navy in order to improve on information sharing.
Rear Admiral Oladele Bamidele Daji, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of Western Naval Command, disclosed this when he led a team of senior officers from the command on a working visit to NIMASA, according to a statement signed by Philip Kyanet, Head, Corporate Communications of NIMASA.
Bashir Jamoh, director-general of NIMASA, who noted that both agencies have interwoven mandates, suggested that since NIMASA is not an arm-bearing agency that it would be important to support the Navy with necessary platforms for it to optimally safeguard Nigerian Waters.
Read Also: NIMASA, Navy plan to blend training curricula to enhance maritime security
“Just like our Special Mission Vessels are manned by men of the Nigerian Navy, we are also looking at the possibility of linking the C4i centre at Kikiriki with the Falcon Eye of the Nigerian Navy. This would ensure safe shipping and that the maritime industry remains virile for economic prosperity,” he said.
According to Jamoh, the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) facility at Takwa Bay will become functional very soon and it would also enhance intelligence gathering as well as information sharing with the Nigerian Navy.
He further noted that activities of unapproved ship scrapping yards had become a source of concern for the agency, warning that those involved in such an act would be made to face the full wrath of the law if they fail to desist from indiscriminate scrapping of vessels.
“We are aware of the challenges wrecks, derelicts and activities of illegal scrap yards pose on ship navigation on the waterway. We would share information with the hydrography department of the Nigerian Navy so that appropriate steps which would be in the best interest of the country would be taken to curb that,” he said.
On his part, Rear Admiral Daji applauded the already existing relationship between the agency and the Navy, stating the need for continuous information sharing between the Navy and NIMASA in order to ensure a safer and secured maritime sector.
He also corroborated the stance of the DG of NIMASA on zero tolerance for piracy on the nation’s waterways, stating that the Navy is prepared to tackle the issues head-on, for the overall good of the maritime sector.
Rear Admiral Daji appealed for cooperation with the NIMASA hydrography unit especially with regards to the standard charting of the Nigerian waters as well as mapping out the wrecks for unhindered navigation.
