Daily Independent (Lagos)
Rotimi Akinwumi
29 June 2009
The Nigerian Navy has said the Federal Government must show more commitment to the development of hydrography (surveying of water bodies) in the country in the interest of the nation's waterways' security.
Hydrographer of the Nigerian Navy, A.G Inusa, an Air Commodore, at the closing ceremony of the celebration of the 2009 World Hydrographic Day, said hydrography was significant for the safety of the nation as it borders on maritime safety, exclusive economic zone delineations, infrastructure, coastal management and railing of one's international profile in the field of diplomacy.
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Ishiah Iko Ibrahim, a Vice Admiral, also speaking at the event, said it had become necessary for the hydrographic department of the Nigerian Navy to become autonomous because it is becoming increasingly difficult to adequately fund the department from the Nigerian Navy vote.
He also noted that for the department to meet its objective, there must be a concerted effort at repositioning it in tandem with international standard.
He identified lack of proper policy framework as the major problem inhibiting the development of hydrography department, stressing its importance to national department and security architecture.
"It is pertinent to state that over the years, the major problem inhibiting the development of hydrographic department is lack of proper policy framework.
"Furthermore, hydrography is an expensive business characterised by costly equipment, manpower development and operations.
"Consequently, it has become increasingly difficult to adequately support the hydrographic department from the NN vote in the face of competing needs and dwindling budgetary allocations.
"However, in order to stem this lacuna, the NN as the sole agency responsible for hydrographic survey of the nation's maritime space, is presently in the verge of repositioning the department to becoming the national hydropgraphic centre," Ibrahim, who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Dele Ezeoba, said.
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Please tell them again.
The essence of a hydrographic study is to properly catalogue our lakes, rivers and estuaries, and other waters with reference to their usefulness for purposes of navigation and commerce. This is Webster's definition of the science of Hydrography. If this is the case, can anyone please tell me what the Navy means by "NN Vote"? Isn't this arm of the Military capable of requesting for a "Special Appropriations in the Federal Budget" whereby issues pertaining to the proper mapping of our waterways, especially the creeks and the communities around them could be included when the overall geography of Nigeria… [Read Full Text]