Hauwa Ali
The Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, has called on
women to take interest in hydrography, a field where they can build rewarding
careers.
The Minister made the call in Lagos, while delivering a keynote address at the
2022 World Hydrography Day celebration organised by the Nigerian Navy.
The theme of the 2022 World Hydrography Day was “Hydrography: Contributing
to the United Nations Ocean Decade.
Senator saraki and other maritime stakeholders at the event.
In her speech, Senator Saraki congratulated the Federal government, Nigerian
Navy and NIMASA for a clean record of zero attack on our waters for straight
5months, a record she said has not been achieved In the last 28 years,
whilecalling on women to engage more in hydrography.
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“Today makes it five months of zero attack on our waterways. This is the first
time in 28 years that there has been no attack. This is a feat duly recognised by
the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). I, therefore, congratulate the Federal
Government, the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Nigerian Navy and of
course the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
“The celebration of the Hydrography Day is as much about the work and
responsibilities of our Navy as it is about the geographical landscape of our
waters.
“For a nation like ours with 853 kilometres of coastline, hydrography is both an
economic and a national security issue. To many of us not privileged to wear this
bright sparkling white uniform, today is Hydrography Day. Every day is
Hydrography Day to a naval officer or a cadet.
“Like other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field,
hydrography has traditionally seen low rates of female participation. It is my hope
that in your pursuit of excellence, you will begin to promote and include women
in hydrography daily as well,” Saraki said.
Senator Saraki further announced that the Federal government has ordered for a
hydrography vessel which will boost the nation’s hydrographic research capacity.
“I am glad to note that this action is already receiving global accolade, with NNS
LANA, awarded the “Best Large Research Vessel in the world for the Year 2022”
by Baird Maritime.
“The Government has also placed an order with Messrs. OCEA of France for the
delivery of a 35-meter hydrographic research vessel, which would work side-by-
side NNS LANA to further boost the nation’s hydrographic research capacity
towards actualising the objectives of the UN’s Decade Ocean Science.
“In addition, the Federal Government established a committee on Blue Economy
chaired by the Vice President, procurement of modern survey equipment and
increased tempo of human capacity development to improve Nigeria’s capacity
for hydrographic survey and charts,” she said.
Speaking earlier, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo
said Nigeria joined the league of chart-producing nations when the first
indigenous navigational chart was unveiled by the Nigerian Navy in 2020.
“It is glad to note that nearly two years down the line, nine more navigational
charts and five electronic navigational charts are being produced by Nigeria.
Today, the Navy has achieved another milestone in developing the hydrographic
capacity axis; its hydrographic office has commenced other navigational
publications. These hydrographic development efforts are coming at a time the
world is focused on the use of the ocean sciences to achieve sustainable
development.
“It is worthy of note that the Nigerian Navy recently commenced the first
indigenous systematic survey of Nigeria’s coastal and offshore water. This marks
the beginning of a systematic study of Nigerian waters and the campaign would
be sustained until the entire waters are completely surveyed.
“Hydrographic data will assist relevant agencies to delineate critical maritime
protection and potential deep-sea mining areas. This will further position Nigeria
in the right towards national economic growth, development, and overall
development and security,” Gambo said.
