In ensuring that navigational safety and security occupies a prime position in operations at the nation’s seaports, the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has stated that it would collaborate meaningfully with stakeholders towards the sustenance of effective hydrographic charting of the navigable channels.
Furthermore, the Management has assured operators in the sub-sector and international community that it would uphold the highest standards in all operational activities in order to attract more businesses to the Nigerian Ports.
The Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman stated this when a team from the Nigerian Hydrographic Society (NHS) led by Commodore C.E. Okafor, a Navy Hydrographer and President of the Nigerian Society of Hydrographers, paid a courtesy call at the Corporate Headquarters of NPA, Marina, Lagos.
Speaking during event, the MD expressed the desire of the NPA to synergize with the Nigerian Navy in the actualization of a safe anchorage across board in national maritime activities.
She was optimistic regarding the dividends that would be accrued to the country in updating regularly available channel charting records through cooperation with the Nigerian Navy.
She tasked the visiting team to step up operations concerning safety and security of lives and cargoes within the ports community.
Commodore Okafor, in his response, pledged support for the NPA’s efforts in enthroning best practices whilst stating that the Hydrographic Society looks forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with the Organization.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Navy collaborated during the survey and charting of the navigable channels of the nation’s waters in the years 2010 and 2011 respectively.
The Hydrographers requested the NPA to sustain the archiving of its materials for effective use, stressing that some of the materials available for use dated back to the 1892 hydrographic charting of Nigeria’s navigable waters.
The two Organizations are expected to further collaborate in heralding the World Hydrographic Day coming up on the 21st June, 2017 under the theme “Managing Our Seas, Oceans and Waterways – More Important Than Ever” as well as a Conference of African Hydrographers coming up in October, 2017 during which greater sensitization on the issues would be highlighted.
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