NAN-H-67
Navy
By Henry Oladele
Lagos, June 21, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy says it is seeking for the upgrade of the Hydrographic Department to a National Hydrographic Office (NHO) under the presidency, with the direct supervision of the Vice President.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ette Ibas said this at the 2017 World Hydrographic Day Celebration, with the theme “Mapping our seas, oceans and waterways, more important than ever’’.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ibas was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Adm. Adeniyi Osinowo.
Ibas said: “The proposed NHO will be composed of mainly civilians from the hydrographic community and a handful of navy personnel with the following organs: NHO, the survey fleet and National Hydrographic School.
“Through this process, the NHO would be directly funded by the presidency with the prospects of hydrography contributing immensely to national development.’’
He said that considering the huge financial requirement involved in hydrographic operations and the enormity of surveying Nigeria’s fast domain, it was difficult to fund hydrography from the navy’s budgetary allocation alone.
The naval chief noted that in spite of efforts at improving hydrography in Nigeria, the pace of its development was still slow.
“This can be attributed to inadequate sensitisation of the political class which has largely contributed to its under-funding,” he said.
The navy, acccording to Ibas, has procured additional modern hydrographic survey equipment.
He said that the navy had also commenced feasibility studies for the establishment of network of tide gauges across the coastline.
“When completed, this project will enhance the understanding of the impact of sea-level rise along the coast.
“The project will also provide relevant data that would be used by mariners and hydrographic surveyors alike,” Ibas said.
Earlier, the hydrographer of the Navy, Commodore Emeka Okafor, in his welcome address, said that hydrography contributed directly to the efficiency of maritime transportation.
“This allows voyages to be shortened if new routes are surveyed and modern application to survey operations is employed.
“It also supports maritime defence and security by allowing freedom of manoeuvre for search and rescue and naval operations,” he said.
Okafor said hydrography was the key to well managed oceans, seas and waterways.
“With all these benefits and more, viz a viz the extent of Nigeria’s water yet to be surveyed, you will agree with me that it is time Nigeria wakes up to its responsibilities by giving hydrography it’s desired attention,’’ he said. (NAN)
HOB/ENN/SOA
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Oluwole Sogunle