Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla has disclosed that ensuring safety within the nation’s maritime domain, creating job opportunities as well as facilitating exploitation of the vast strategic reserve of mineral resources towards ensuring the utilization of the enormous Blue Economy potentials for poverty eradication led to the establishment of the National Hydrogaphic Agency byvyhe federalvgovernment.
Explaining that the Agency is poised to providing accurate and timely hydrographic data essential for conduct of safe and efficient maritime activities, Vice Admiral Ogalla said the take off of the agency is in line with the President Bola Tinubu’s renewed Hope Agenda and economic prosperity of our dear Country.
The CNS who spoke on the occasion of the World Hydrogrsphy Day in Abuja said the 2024 World Hydrography Day celebration is coming at a time efforts are on harnessing Blue Economy potentials for prosperity in Africa.
He said, “Activities of the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with the National Hydrographic Agency are geared towards actualising this feat, particularly through systematic mapping of Nigerian waters to bolster safety of navigation for economic prosperity.
“It is against this backdrop, that the theme for this year’s World Hydrography Day: “Hydrography Information – Enhancing Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability in Maritime Activities”, was conceptualized.
“This Celebration will provide a viable platform to deepen collaborations with strategic partners both local and international to support hydrography in Nigeria for sustainable maritime activities towards enhanced socio-economic development.
“As part of efforts to support hydrography in Nigeria, the National Hydrographic Agency was created by an Act of the National Assembly and a senior naval officer appointed as the Hydrographer of the Federation/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydrographic Agency.
“The Agency is poised to providing accurate and timely hydrographic data essential for conduct of safe and efficient maritime activities.
“Furthermore, the Nigerian Navy acquired 2 Hydrographic Survey ships, NNS LANA as well as NNS OCHUZO, which was recently commissioned in May this year during the Nigerian Navy 68th Anniversary Celebration.
“These hydrographic vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enabling comprehensive and precise surveys that culminates into production of updated navigational chats for maritime stakeholders.
“Undoubtedly, this would ensure safety within the nation’s maritime domain, create job opportunities as well as facilitate exploitation of the vast strategic reserve of mineral resources towards ensuring the utilization of the enormous Blue Economy potentials for poverty eradication in line with the President’s renewed Hope Agenda and economic prosperity of our dear Country.
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Noting that these achievements could not have been possible without the unwavering support of the President, Ogslla said, “As we celebrate our achievements in commemoration of 2024 World Hydrography Day, I wish to also reaffirm that the Nigerian Navy will sustain its collaboration with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the National Hydrography Agency as well as other stakeholders towards ensuring maritime security for the actualization of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.”
Defence Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru who was the special guest of honour, unveiled the new Approaches to Lagos Chart, Revised National Charting Scheme and Catalogue of Nigerian Charts produced by the National Hydrographic Agency.
Badaru while speaking at the occasion said the federal Government is committed to harnessing the full potential of the nation’s maritime resources and the opportunities to take Nigeria out of the present economic doldrums to a diversified economy for sustainable growth and development.
Commending the Nigerian Navy for playing an instrumental role in laying the foundation for Nigeria’s national hydrographic services capacity, he said the Navy Hydrographic office has worked tirelessly to develop nigeria’s hydrographic capability, ensuring the safety of navigation and contribution to the national security
He noted that the creation of the National Hydrographic Agency built the solid foundation, expanding Nigeria’s capability to meet evolving needs of our mari
time sector, reiterated the importance of hydrographic information for enhancing maritime safety by providing accurate and up to date information to vessels to navigate.
He said, “This is particularly crucial in Nigeria where the nation’s ports, “busy shipping lines and offshore oil and gas are vital to the economy”.
“Thus by providing detailed hydrographic data, the national hydrographic agency will help ensure that our maritime activities are conducted safely and efficiently”.
“Moreover, the National Radiographic Agency will play a critical role in promoting environmental sustainability as we strive to balance economic growth and environmental protection.
“Hydrographic information will guide our efforts to manage maritime resources sustainably, monitoring coastal erosion and mitigating the impacts of climate change”.
He said the federal governments investment has bolstered Navy’s capacity as a nation to conduct comprehensive surveys of nation’s territorial waters up to the extremities of its exclusive economic zone.
“These vessels are not just assets, they are symbols of sovereignty and our unwavering commitment to maritime safety and operational excellence”.
“What we have achieved this year will include the launching of a revised national charting scheme, the maiden edition of our catalogue of nigerian charts, and a chart of the approaches to Lagos harbor.
“All of these were achieved within the first half of this year, even though some of this work has commenced even before I came into office.This critical milestone marks a new chapter in our hydrographic journey.
“The revised national charting scheme addresses previous gaps that were identified, ensuring greater precision and comprehensiveness in our national navigational products”.
“The catalogue of National Health Nigerian charts will make maritime resources more accessible, cataloguing existing charts and outlining our future projections, while the chart of the approaches to Lagos is said to become an invaluable tool for mariners, providing detailed and accurate information essential for safety of navigation, these developments are more than technical advancement they are strategic enablers.
