The Nigerian Navy has called for deeper collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the areas of hydrography and wreck removal to further enhance safety of navigation within Nigeria’s territorial waters.
This call was made by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command (FOC-WNC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, during a familiarisation visit to the NIMASA Headquarters, where he commended the agency for its enduring partnership with the Nigerian Navy.
Mustapha described the relationship between both institutions as pivotal to the relative peace currently enjoyed within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“The longstanding and unwavering partnership NIMASA has maintained with the Nigerian Navy has culminated in the current tranquility being witnessed in the Nigerian maritime domain. This is a clear testament to the strength of our collaboration”, he said.
The FOC West noted that improved information sharing, particularly through the integration of NIMASA’s Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence (C4i) Centre with the Navy’s Falcon Eye system would further strengthen maritime security across the nation.
He also lauded NIMASA for providing and maintaining operational platforms under the Deep Blue Project, which are currently deployed and operated by the Nigerian Navy.
“I commend NIMASA for the provision and maintenance of Deep Blue Project platforms. These assets have significantly enhanced our operational capacity”, Mustapha added.
Highlighting recent advancements in hydrographic capability, he disclosed that the acquisition of two modern hydrographic vessels with the capacity to determine the precise location and dimensions of wrecks would significantly improve wreck removal operations.
According to him, the deployment of advanced platforms such as NNS Lana and NNS Ochuzor has contributed immensely to higher safety standards within the maritime sector.
“The utilisation of these vessels has undoubtedly improved maritime safety. It is therefore imperative that we sustain and enhance these standards through deeper collaboration with NIMASA”, he stated.
Responding, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasised that improved security within Nigeria’s waters is central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda.
“The maritime sector is at the forefront of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the federal government’s economic diversification policy. It is our collective responsibility—NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment where maritime trade and investment can thrive”, he said.
Mobereola added that achieving optimal security levels is critical to building investor confidence within the shipping and maritime industries.
He also acknowledged the strong support of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, noting that the Minister’s unwavering commitment to the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy continues to deliver measurable results.