The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) are to partner on efforts to update necessary hydrographic data and information of the nation’s navigable channels.
To this end, the NPA and the UKHO have started preliminary meetings and contacts to review and update all existing hydrographic survey charts of the nation’s navigable channels.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) are to partner on efforts to update necessary hydrographic data and information of the nation’s navigable channels.
To this end, the NPA and the UKHO have started preliminary meetings and contacts to review and update all existing hydrographic survey charts of the nation’s navigable channels.
The Managing Director NPA, Malam Habib Abdullahi in an audience with the UKHO head Rear Admiral Tom Karston in Lagos on Wednesday expressed the hope that with the historical relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom the assistance of the UKHO to the NPA was most timely and appropriate.
Malam Abdullahi explained that an update on the nation’s hydrographic chart should be able to capture recent strides and efforts by both the Federal Government and the Private Sectors in the nation’s maritime.
He told the visiting UKHO head that it was regrettable that a number of recent progress reports on the improvement draught of the nation’s channels and innovations by the private sector in the development of the deep seaports are not noticed by the world maritime operators because they are not captured in recent hydrographic charts.
Responding to a question by the UKHO head, Malam Abdullahi said the nation’s economy is growing fast and the volume of shipping has continued to improve because of patronage by neighbouring and landlord country as well as the advantages of high population.
The NPA boss pledged to work in close collaboration with the UKHO to ensure that both the Organisations mutually benefit from the relationship; which dates back several years ago.
Head of the delegation, Rear Admiral Tom Karstonhad earlier told the Managing Director that both NPA and UKHO have common government and commercial outlook; adding that he was in the country to establish long term port development plans and proposals with Nigeria.
Rear Admiral Karston said United Kingdom Hydrographic office collects data on Maritime boundaries, seaports channels across the world, produce charts to assist ships in Navigating nations Maritime waters, stressing to update all relevant hydrographic information on the Nigerian channel.
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