The Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle has declared Federal Government’s commitment to integrating the operations of the Command Control Computer Communication Information (C4i) system of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the surveillance facility of the Nigerian Navy known as the Falcon Eye for the security of the Nigerian maritime space to engender economic prosperity.
Matawalle, who stated this shortly after a working visit to the NIMASA C4i center in Kirikiri, Lagos during the weekend to inspect the operational model of the facility, said that Nigeria will benefit much more if all agencies of government can synergize and improve information sharing with one another for the benefit of the country.
“I am delighted at what I have seen today at NIMASA C4i centre and our goal is to see how it can be integrated with the Falcon Eye of the Nigeria Navy because all we need is to secure our maritime domain, therefore the navy and NIMASA must work together to create the desired maritime environment for a prosperous maritime economy.
“We want them to work together and to be integrated so that they will be communicating with each other. If the Falcon Eye and C4i are communicating effectively, our maritime space will be devoid of security challenges and this will boost the courage of both local and foreign investors in the sector,” he said.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola expressed delight at the Minister’s visit, stating that effective synchronisation of the two systems would help the country maximise its blue economy.
Represented by the agency’s Executive Director, Operations, Engineer Fatai Adeyemi, the NIMASA DG said, “We are glad to receive the Honorable Minister of State, Defence at NIMASA C4i today. This is simply a show of commitment of this administration to effective collaboration amongst all organs of government to achieve a common goal and in this instance, maritime security. You heard what the Honorable Minister said about integrating the C4i with the Falcon Eye. I believe that’s a step in the right direction. And I’m sure by the time that is done you know, it’s going to give us a more secured marine environment.”
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