Maritime
Maritime Security: Integrating NIMASA C4I, Naval Falcon Eye A Top Priority – Matawalle
Minister of State, Defence, Hon. Bello Matawalle has declared the Federal Government’s commitment to integrating the operations of the Command Control Computer Communication Information System of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the surveillance facility of the Nigerian Navy (NN) known as the Falcon eye system for the security of the Nigerian Maritime space to engender economic prosperity.
Matawalle stated this after a working visit to the NIMASA C4i center in Kirikiri this weekend to inspect the operational model of the facility.
He said that Nigeria would benefit much more if all Agencies of Government could synergize seamlessly and improve information sharing amongst one another.
He called for enhanced synergy between the NN and the NIMASA especially with the C4i system and the falcon eye which are platforms that would massively complement each other.
In his words, “I am delighted at what I have seen today at NIMASA C4i Center 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 the NIMASA must work together to create the desired maritime environment for a prosperous maritime economy”.
Speaking further, the Minister noted, “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”.
In his remarks, Director General, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola expressed delight at the visit of the Hon Minister stating that effective synchronization of the NIMASA C4i and the Falcon Eye of the NN would add to the strides of the FG in reaping the benefits of the Blue economy.
The NIMASA DG, represented by the Agency’s Executive Director Operations, Engr Fatai Adeyemi said improved information sharing between the NIMASA and the NN would enhance capability of the security agencies in curbing maritime crimes in Nigerian waters.
“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,” he said.
The NIMASA C4i center, with manpower composition from all security services in Nigeria is the central nerve for the Deep Blue Project with the use of modern technology to achieve security information sharing real time amongst all the Deep Blue assets which include Special mission Vessels, helicopters, aircraft, fast intervention vessels and specially purpose built armored vehicles.
C4i, is an acronym for Command Control Computer Communication Information System is the central nerve serving as the base for situational intelligence gathering, synchronizing situational security reports on land, air and the maritime domain in Nigeria and analyzing the same in real time for the Deep Blue Project.
Meanwhile, the Falcon eye system of the Nigerian Navy is a state-of-the-art surveillance facility that incorporates various sensors located along the nation’s enormous coastline, such as Radars, long range Electro Optic Systems with thermal or night vision capability, Automatic Identification System receivers, Weather Stations and marine Very High Frequency Radios for communication.
The integration of these sensors into the Falcon Eye system generates a real-time situational awareness of the activities of vessels in Nigerian maritime domain and some selected parts in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola has cautioned members of the public on the existence of several unauthorized social media accounts making the rounds and purportedly belonging to him.
Dr Mobereola via his verified X handle @MobereolaD made it clear that the fake accounts are not affiliated or endorsed by him, or the Agency, in any way and advised members of the public to be wary and only communicate with official social media platforms.
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For the avoidance of doubt, any party that puts itself forward as acting on behalf of NIMASA, or any member of the Agency’s Executive Management, for any purpose whatsoever is completely false and NIMASA disclaims and bears no responsibility whatsoever for their action.
Members of the public are hereby urged to treat with suspicion any such offerings and verify their claims in order not to fall prey to these scammers, as NIMASA has not designated any entity or persons to act on its behalf. Please report such incidents to info@nimasa.gov.ng or the appropriate law enforcement Agencies.
The DG thus expressly disclaimed any liability for any losses incurred by any person(s) as a result of reliance on such fraudulent Facebook accounts, LinkedIn, e-mails and other online publications.
The 296 Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), beneficiaries at the Centurion University, India have been assured of adequate capacity development till they qualify as globally employable Seafarers.
The assurance was given on Wednesday in Lagos, by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola in a statement.
He described media reports claiming that the Agency plans to withdraw the NSDP cadets from the Centurion University, India as false.
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Dr Mobereola maintained that the Agency was only carrying out due diligence on the existing MoU to align the processes in the best interest of the Nigerian students.
He said, “We are not recalling any NSDP beneficiary from Centurion University. We are only working to close out all identified gaps in the existing Memorandum of Understanding before proceeding to the next stage.
“A situation where the Agency entered into a contractual agreement with Springdale Academy of Maritime Education and Training, SAMET with agreed courses and timelines only to be faced with additional course duration and an alien programme by the agent, SAMET, unilaterally converting the programme without the consent of the Agency as prescribed by the MoU may not be in the best interest of the students.”
Speaking further, he said “There were issues of non-accreditation of one of institution as at the time of the execution of MoU, change of course from Marine engineering to Mechanical engineering without recourse to the Agency, preparing the grounds for additional years of studies and uncertainties for the students, raising issues related to funding, and the various third parties arrangements without duly informing the Agency.”
He also noted that the Management of NIMASA is aware of a sponsored media campaign of calumny against the NIMASA Management stating that it will not deter NIMASA from doing the right thing.
“We are aware of orchestrated media campaigns and petitions against the Agency reviewing the existing arrangement. We will not give in to blackmail as the safety and wellbeing of our students are paramount,” he stated.
The NSDP was introduced in 2009 to develop capacity by training young Nigerians as seafarers and bridge the gap of dearth of seafarers globally.
Under the scheme, Nigerian youths are trained in specialized courses such as Marine Engineering, Nautical Sciences and Nautical Surveys amongst others, to ensure they qualify as Seafarers, which makes them globally employable.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Chatham House London have resolved to raise the issue of Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) this month.
This decision was reached during a session between Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA, and Dr. Alex Vines, Director of the Africa Programme at Chatham House, accompanied by his team.
The Agency and Chatham House have also commenced collaboration to convene a meeting of international stakeholders from both the public and private sector in Nigeria, with the aim of developing a position paper on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
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The NIMASA DG emphasized the importance of effective international partnership to sustain security in the Gulf of Guinea.
In his words “We had a very fruitful discussion with the team at Chatham House. The decision to engage the UN Security Council is to ensure they are well informed about the progress made so far in terms of security in the Gulf of Guinea. We also need an independent analysis of the security situation in the Gulf of Guinea and how best to transform the gains in terms of enhanced security, into tangible economic benefits such as reduction in the cost of all Nigerian Bound freight and issues bothering on payment of war risk insurance premium for Nigerian bound vessels. The coming on board of Chatham House will serve as a catalyst in developing our Blue Economy.”
Chatham House helps people, societies and governments to understand and adapt to change and has been a source of independent analysis, trusted dialogue for one hundred years.
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