The Nigerian Navy is set to unveil seven newly produced navigational charts linking Ondo to Lagos State through River Alape.
In March, the service unveiled 20 charts, bringing the charts in the country to 27.
The PUNCH reports that a navigational chart is a map that provides information about water depths, and dangerous locations among others.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, said the charts would be unveiled on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at an event to commemorate World Hydrography Day.
“As part of the events for the plenary session of the 2023 World Hydrography Day, seven newly produced Navigational charts linking Ondo to Lagos State through River Alape, produced by the Nigerian Navy will be unveiled. The theme for the event is ‘Hydrography – Underpinning the Digital Twin of the Ocean,” he said.
Gambo who was represented by the Chief of policy and plans Rear Admiral Saidu Garba lamented that marine litters among others were threatening sustainable use of the ocean in Nigeria.
He said, “Marine litter, indiscriminate marine resource exploitation, and inadequate ocean management tools are threatening sustainable use of the ocean in Nigeria. Therefore, developing the digital twin of Nigeria’s waters in particular, and the entire Gulf of Guinea, in general, will provide the needed interface between the policymakers, coastal communities, maritime security agencies, researchers, marine exploration and exploitation companies, as well as other maritime users that will foster the right action for sustainable ocean governance and uses in Nigeria.”
The Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Admiral, Chukwuemeka Okafor, said the chart for the new Calabar River is almost ready, adding that Imo state would be able to access the sea after the survey had been completed.
He said, “Suffice to say that we have, and are making good progress. In March this year, we unveiled about 20 charts covering River Niger from Lokoja to the Atlantic Ocean through River Amos and Focados River; that survey was done last year. Seven charts will be unveiled next week.
“We are currently in Uguta surveying Uguta Lake through Orassi River down to the Atlantic, bursting out at Sombrero River and the new Calabar River that also have gone more than 95%. The survey team will soon round up on that and the charting team will commence the production so that the axis will be open. Imo state will be able to have access to the sea when that is completed.”
While disclosing that the Navy had enough hydrographers handling its charting ships, he said the Navy would soon take delivery of a set of five meters hydrographer boats.
