Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) have indicated plans to update hydrographic data and information of the nation’s navigable channels.
A statement issued by the Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs of NPA, Musa Ilya, noted that both organisations have started holding “preliminary meetings and contacts to review and update all existing hydrographic survey charts of the nation’s navigable channels.”
Managing Director of NPA, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, while receiving Head of UKHO, Rear Admiral Tom Karston, in his office in Lagos on Wednesday stated that with the historical relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, the collaboration between both organisations is timely and appropriate.
Abdullahi said an update of the nation’s hydrographic chart will capture recent strides and efforts by both the federal government and private operators in the maritime industry.
He regretted that a number of recent progress reports on the improvement of draught of the nation’s channels and innovations by the private sector in the development of deep seaports were not noticed by the international maritime community “because they are not captured in recent hydrographic charts.”
Rear Admiral Karstonhad had earlier informed his host that he was in the country to establish long term port development plans and proposals with Nigeria.
He said UKHO collects data on maritime boundaries and seaport channels across the world; and produces charts to assist ships in their navigation.
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