The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has launched the Governing Council of the National Hydrographic Agency (NHA).
“A major milestone in Nigeria’s hydrographic capabilities,” said Matawalle at the inauguration.
The NHA is responsible for mapping and surveying Nigeria’s waterways, providing crucial data for safe maritime navigation and national defence.
The new Governing Council is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to better manage the country’s water resources.
Dr. Matawalle highlighted that the Council, which includes important figures from various ministries and agencies, will ensure Nigeria’s hydrographic work meets international standards.
“This alignment is crucial for supporting the country’s economic, social, and environmental development goals,” he said.
He added, “Today’s inauguration demonstrates our commitment to fostering knowledge, expertise, and resources to address the complex challenges facing our nation’s water sector and unlock its vast potential.”
The Council has approved several key actions, like setting up a temporary headquarters, hiring civilian staff, and nominating three ex-officio members, pending presidential approval.
Matawalle emphasized that these steps show the government’s dedication to improving Nigeria’s hydrographic and maritime capabilities.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, also stressed the importance of this new Council, saying, “The establishment of this Council is a pivotal step towards enhancing our national hydrographic infrastructure and ensuring sustainable management of our marine resources.”
The board includes the Minister of State for Defence as Chairman, the Ministers of Transportation, Justice, and Finance, the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Surveyor General of the Federation, three ex-officio members, and the Hydrographer of the Federation as Secretary.
