The Nigerian Navy has called for increased collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency in the area of hydrography to sustain improved safety of navigation in Nigerian waters.

This was contained in Tuesday’s statement by the Deputy Director/Head of Public Relations at NIMASA, Osagie Edward.

According to the statement, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, made this call during a familiarisation visit to NIMASA Headquarters, where he also acknowledged the gains recorded from NIMASA’s longstanding partnership with the Nigerian Navy.

Mustapha noted that “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.”

He further stated 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,” Mustapha said.

He added 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.

According to him, 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,” he noted.

In his response, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, described the improved security in Nigeria’s territorial waters as the backbone of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s economic diversification policy.

“The maritime sector is at the forefront of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as well as 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,” Mobereola added.

Mobereola also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, noting that his unwavering commitment to the development of the sector has continued to yield results.