World Hydrography Day: FG Lunches Hydrography Charts To Safely Navigate The Nation’s Water Ways.
By Helen Udoh, Outlook Media ABUJA.
The Federal Government has Lunched Charts on Friday in ABUJA to Safely Navigate The Nation’s Water Ways to enhance efficiency, and sustainability in the Industry.
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.
“The new approaches to Lagos Chart, Revised National Charting Scheme and Catalogue of Nigerian Charts produced by the National Hydrographic Agency are expected to enhance the efficiency of maritime activities, reduce operational costs, and increase competitiveness.
He outlined the critical role of national hydrographic agencies in promoting environmental sustainability and balancing economic growth with environmental protection.
The minister praised the Nigerian Navy’s instrumental role in protecting the nation’s waters and providing accurate geographic information, which is crucial for the country’s economic growth.
He also acknowledged the efforts of national geographic agencies in supporting sustainable maritime activities, mitigating coastal erosion, and addressing the impacts of climate change.
The theme: “Hydrography Information – Enhancing Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability in Maritime Activities”, according to the minister, is essential for enhancing maritime safety through accurate and up-to-date nautical charts.
This chart, expected in real-time, will assist relevant agencies in the maritime domain navigate the nation’s water safely, avoiding hazards and reducing the rate of accidents.
This year’s WHD is coming at a time when efforts are on harnessing blue economy potentials for prosperity in Africa, with each passing year reflecting the evolving challenges and opportunities in the field of hydrography.
Hydrography is the science of measuring and describing the physical features of water bodies and their adjacent coastal areas. The discipline is crucial for safe navigation, marine resource management, and environmental protection.
In the same vein,the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, noted that the celebration is coming at a time when Africa is harnessing the potentials of the Blue Economy for prosperity, and the Nigerian Navy is collaborating with the National Hydrographic Agency to actualize this feat through systematic mapping of Nigerian waters.
The CNS highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s efforts to support hydrography, including the acquisition of two hydrographic survey ships, NNS LANA and NNS OCHUZO, equipped with state-of-the-art technology to produce updated navigational charts for maritime stakeholders.
CNS Ogalla said 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 by the federal government.
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 Nigeria.
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.
He thanked the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and other stakeholders for their support.
The event marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey to enhance its hydrographic capabilities, with the government poised to harness the full potential of the nation’s resources and opportunities to elevate its economic status.
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. He said.
“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. He said.