FG Mulls Merger of NIMASA C4I, Naval Falcon Eye

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

CNS VA Ogalla and DG NIMASA Mobereola

Minister of State Defence, Hon. Bello Matawalle has declared 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 known as the Falcon eye system for the security of the Nigerian Maritime space to engender economic prosperity.

Matawalle who stated this shortly after a working visit to the NIMASA C4i center in Kirikiri recently 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.

A statement by Osagie Edward, FNIPR, Assistant Director/ Head, Public Relations

NIMASA quoted minister as saying: “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”.

Front Row: L-R:  The Honorable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, MON; Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; Executive Director, Maritime Labour & Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Jibril Abba; Head, Deep Blue NIMASA, Mr Gladys Owolabi; Head SERVICOM NIMASA, Rekiya Lamai and others during a visit by the Honourable Minister to the Command, Control, Communication, Computer  and Intelligence (C4i)  Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos State.

Speaking further, the Minister said “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 of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola expressed delight at the visit of the Honorable Minister stating that effective synchronization of the NIMASA C4i and the Falcon Eye of the Nigerian Navy will add to the strides of the FG in reaping the benefits of the Blue economy.

The NIMASA DG who was represented by the Agency’s Executive Director Operations, Engineer Fatai Adeyemi said improved information sharing between NIMASA and Navy will 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”

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.

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.

In a related development, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla who recently  paid a working visit to NIMASA , said the visist was undertaken to deepen existing cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA towards achieving sustainable security in the nation’s maritime domain.

Vice Admiral Ogalla acknowledged efforts by the Agency at implementing both national and international regulatory instruments to improve safety and security in the maritime domain, adding that the Nigerian Navy under his leadership is committed to supporting NIMASA to succeed.

“I want to appreciate NIMASA for the collaboration with the Nigerian Navy which is to achieve a common goal of better securing the Nigerian maritime domain, thus promoting an enabling environment for business to thrive with a multiplier effect of improved contributions to the Gross Domestic Product from the maritime industry. Our role as prescribed by the Armed Forces Act is for the Navy to coordinate the enforcement of all marital laws associated with Nigeria. We will support you at NIMASA to succeed”, he said.

This is even as the CNS also commended the Agency’s implantation of the Cabotage Act and the C4i center of the Deep Blue Project.

“I acknowledge the efforts of NIMASA in the implementation of the Cabotage Law for the benefit of indigenous players in the industry. We will also improve our support so the Cabotage regime can succeed. The NIMASA C4i center, which is a maritime domain awareness facility, is useful to the Nigerian Armed Forces including the Nigerian Police. I will visit the facility today and our focus is better cooperation and information sharing”.

Responding, Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola acknowledged the role the Nigerian Navy has played over the years in supporting NIMASA to implement her mandates. He assured the Navy of the continuous support of the Agency, noting that it will be to the overall benefit of the country.

He also assured the CNS that the Agency would look into more areas of partnership with the Navy, while also seeing the possibility of reviewing the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Navy and NIMASA.

“Your visit today personally to NIMASA is a confirmation of your commitment to the NIMASA/Nigerian Navy collaboration. I must acknowledge the role of the Nigerian Navy in the NIMASA journey so far. Nigeria’s attainment of zero piracy report in recent times is a result of the support of the Navy.

“Security is key to unlocking the nation’s maritime potentials, as a well-secured maritime domain will be a catalyst to attract foreign investment into Nigeria. On the MoU, we are with you in reviewing it and making it more effective taking into consideration the reality on ground. We want to sustain our zero piracy status”, the DG NIMASA said.

This is even as he hailed the recent addition of 20 nautical miles to Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic zone, stating that it calls for more responsibility for both the Navy and the Agency.