‘Navigational Safety, Security Vital to Ports Operations’

Eromosele Abiodun

In ensuring that navigational safety and security occupy a prime position in operations at the nation’s seaports, the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has stated that it will collaborate meaningfully with stakeholders towards the sustenance of effective hydrographic charting of the navigable channels.

The NPA has also assured operators in the sub-sector and international community that it will uphold the highest standards in all operational activities in order to attract more businesses to the Nigerian Ports.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman stated this when a team of the Nigerian Hydrographic Society (NHS), led by the President of the NHS, Commodore C.E. Okafor, paid her a courtesy call in Lagos.

Bala-Usman expressed the desire of the NPA to synergise with the Nigerian Navy in the actualisation of a safe anchorage across board in national maritime activities.

She expressed optimism regarding the dividends that would accrue 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.

In his response, Okafor sought the support of the NPA in enthroning best practices whilst stating that the Hydrographic Society looks forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with the organisation.
The NPA and the Nigerian Navy had 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 dates back to the 1892 hydrographic charting of our navigable waters.

The two organisations are expected to further collaborate in heralding the World Hydrographic Day that came 21st June, 2017 with 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 sensitisation on the issues would be highlighted.