Plans are underway for Nigeria to begin in-house nautical charting of its waterways.
Already, hydrographers are receiving needed trainings and data are being compiled for that purpose, according to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas yesterday.
Ibas spoke at the opening of a five-day biennial conference and exhibition themed: “Regional awareness on maritime geospatial knowledge,” organised by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and the Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission (EIHC) in Lagos.
According to him, the country had already completed the development of national charting scheme and built the right capacity for acquisition of hydrographic data both within its inshore and offshore waters.
Appreciating the IHO for providing guidelines and standards for worldwide practice of hydrography, Ibas said its efforts have helped the nation take the rights steps.
“I am pleased to state here that through your guidance, Nigeria was able to establish Maritime Safety Information facilities, which led to the accomplishment of phase one of the IHO’s Capacity Building Strategy.
“Through the platform provided by the IHO, Nigeria has built the right capacity for acquisition of hydrographic data both within the inshore and offshore waters, in fulfillment of phase two of capacity building strategy of the IHO.
“On the third phase of the capacity building strategy, which deals with the ability to produce nautical charts, Nigeria has developed limited capacity. At the moment, Nigeria has completed the development of National Charting Scheme and has commenced requisite training and compilation of data for production of nautical charts.”