The Federal Government has announced its readiness to integrate 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 known as the Falcon Eye.
The move is aimed at ensuring the security of the Nigeria’s maritime space to engender economic prosperity.
This is coming on the heels of NIMASA Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola stating that information sharing is key to securing nation’s maritime space
Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Matawalle dropped the hint at the weekend in Lagos shortly after a working visit to the NIMASA C4i center in Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos.
Matawalle who was in Lagos to inspect the operational model of the facility said that Nigeria will benefit much more if all agencies of government can synergize seamlessly and improve information sharing amongst one another for the benefit of Nigeria.
He called for enhance synergy between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA especially with the C4i system and the Falcon Eye which are platforms that would massively complement each other.
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 NIMASA must work together to create the desired maritime environment for a prosperous maritime economy”.
“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”.
NIMASA in a statement signed by its Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr. Edward Osagie quoted Mobereola expressing delight at the visit of Matawalle stating that effective synchronization of the NIMASA C4i and the Falcon Eye of the Nigerian Navy will add to the strides of the Federal Government in reaping the benefits of the blue economy.
Mobereola who was represented by NIMASA Executive Director, Operations Engr. Fatai Adeyemi at the event said improved information sharing between NIMASA and Navy will enhance capability of the security agencies in curbing maritime crimes in Nigerian waters.
Continuing, Mobereola in the statement which was made available to Maritime Bits said: “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”
Maritime Bits had reported that 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 which 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.
On the other hand, the Nigerian Navy Falcon Eye system 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.
