Nigeria advances on tracking of vessels

Determined to fully tackle the menace of criminality on the nation’s territorial waters, the Federal Government has advanced in its technological means of tracking the vessels that patronize its seaports.

In view of this, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi recently commissioned the Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence System (CCCIS) of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The system, according to Amaechi would allow for proper monitoring of activities at the six major seaports of Apapa, Tin Can, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Onne and Warri.

He said the infrastructure consists of long and short-range video surveillance monitoring systems, as well as several other software applications, which are in line with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and the International Ships and Ports Security Code (ISPS Code).

He said, “It is pertinent to note that the development of this facility began with an approval in 2013 with the aim of providing business Intelligence for the movement of vessels and cargoes, as well as providing improved and secured communications within our waterways for enhancement of efficiency within the nation’s seaports.”

Amaechi further assured the International community that Nigeria as an IMO member, will remain committed to upholding the thrust of the organization, in the areas of safety, security, environmental protection and trade facilitation; stressing that he was not in doubt that the “conceptualization, development and installation of the CCCIS by the NPA will in no small way promote the ratings of our ports, by the IMO”.

The NPA Managing Director, Hadiza Usman with the new equipment, NPA as a worthy stakeholder, would now be capable of assisting the country in networking to surmount security and safety challenges, not only within Nigeria, but within the entire Gulf of Guinea, alongside the capability of an interface with other relevant stakeholders, to track as well as record maritime security breaches.

She said: “This technology will enable the Nigerian Ports Authority, not just to generate adequate revenue, but also to ensure that all revenue leakages are blocked, in furtherance of the Federal Government efforts towards revitalising our economy.

“Let me reiterate that in the days ahead, the Nigerian Ports Authority will be playing proactive roles in the digital space, ensuring that there is synergy and collaboration amongst relevant agencies such as Navy, NIMASA, Customs and other security and intelligence agencies, for the purpose of sharing information, documentation to enhance maritime safety, security, as well as block revenue leakages.

“It is pertinent to note that this project comprises of the Marine Operational Centre (MOC), which will enable the actual monitoring of vessels; the Network Operations Centre (NOC) which is the support; and the infrastructure data base that stores all information, including recorded videos”, she stated.

She said the system covering maritime activities in the six ports and four pilotage districts should be seen as a running project, representing a journey, and not a destination, as it will incorporate other port automotive devices, like the Vessel Traffic System (VTS) pursuant to the IMO prescription on SOLAS and the Integrated Port Community Information System (IPCIS), with the ultimate goal of establishing an automated Single Window System.