BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
For enhanced ocean safety, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Navy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster cooperation in accident prevention, investigation and mitigation within the country’s vast maritime landscape.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB.
The agreement, formalised at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja recently, marked a major milestone in Nigeria’s strategic efforts to harness its rich maritime endowments which rides on safer waters.
The statement added that the signing ceremony was witnessed by high ranking individuals like; Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director General of the NSIB and Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, Chief of Naval Safety and Standards.
Olawumi noted that the MoU sets the foundation for collaboration between both institutions in key areas such as accident prevention, research, capacity building, and search and rescue operations.
Adding that, the partnership leverages the Navy’s specialized skills in diving, search and rescue, and site security to support NSIB’s mission of conducting thorough investigations.
In exchange, Olawumi said the NSIB will provide Navy personnel with advanced training in accident investigation techniques and open its state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for joint data analysis and research.
Captain Badeh highlighted the significance of the agreement, expressing confidence that the joint effort would greatly enhance Nigeria’s maritime safety framework.
“This MoU represents a crucial step in elevating our capacity to investigate and mitigate maritime accidents. The Nigerian Navy’s expertise will significantly bolster our ability to prevent future incidents and protect lives in Nigerian waters,” he remarked.
Rear Admiral Dewu echoed this optimism, reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to providing critical operational support for timely and comprehensive investigations.
The collaboration, experts note, is poised to benefit not only immediate maritime safety concerns but also Nigeria’s broader transportation safety objectives, as the NSIB oversees accident prevention across the air, rail, and maritime sectors.
The statement reads; “With Nigeria’s growing dependence on maritime infrastructure for trade and commerce, the collaboration partnership is seen in many quarters as a proactive response to the increasingly complex nature of maritime activities.
“It accentuates both institutions’ dedication to adopting global best practices and enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to respond to and prevent maritime accidents”.
Industry watchers stated that the long-term benefits of the strategic alliance are profound.
They believe that as the NSIB and the Nigerian Navy continue to work closely together, they are setting a new standard for maritime safety in Nigeria.
Their combined efforts according to the statement promise a safer maritime environment, with both parties committed to ongoing cooperation, resource sharing, and innovation to tackle the evolving challenges of maritime safety.
“Through this visionary partnership, Nigeria’s waterways will not only become safer but also more secure, safeguarding lives and protecting the nation’s maritime assets for generations to come”, the statement clarified.
