MARITIME SECURITY: Integrating NIMASA C4I, Naval Falcon Eye a top priority

By Osagie Edward, FNIPR

… information sharing is key to securing nation’s maritime space- NIMASA DG

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 this weekend 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.

In 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”.

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.