The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said on Thursday that it would collaborate with stakeholders in sustaining effective hydro graphic charting of the nation’s navigable channels.
The Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Usman, stated this when a delegation of Nigerian Hydro graphic Society (NHS) visited the NPA’s headquarters in Lagos.
She promised to ensure that navigational safety and security occupied prime positions in operations at the nation’s seaports
“The management is assuring 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 NPA management will synergise with the Nigerian Navy in the actualisation of safe anchorage across board in national maritime activities,’’ Usman said.
She urged the hydrographers to step up operations concerning safety and security of lives and cargo within the port community.
Responding, Commodore Chukwuemeka Okafor, President of Nigerian Hydro graphic Society, said that the society would support NPA’s efforts in enthroning best practices.
Okafor added that the Hydro graphic Society looked forward to a mutual relationship with NPA.
He urged NPA to sustain the storage of its hydrographic materials in the archives for effective use.
Okafor said that some of the materials available for use dated back to hydrographic charting of Nigerian navigable waters in 1892.
“The NPA and Nigerian Navy had collaborated during the survey and charting of the navigable channels of Nigerian waters in 2010 and 2011,” he said.
NPA and Nigerian Navy are to also collaborate at a Conference of Hydrographers coming up in October, 2017, during which greater sensitisation on issues will be highlighted.