Nigerian waterways not surveyed in 60 years - Society

The Nigerian Hydrographic Society (NHS) has expressed concern that Nigerian waterways had not been surveyed in the past 60 years.Mr Chikezie Elekwa, the Chairman, Nigerian Hydrographic Society (NHS), Eastern zone, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone in Lagos that lack of survey had rendered the waterways unsafe for navigation.``Can you imagine that we still buy our charts from the U.K. These charts have been in existence since the colonial era and this is not supposed to be so.Hydrography is the measurement and description of the features of the sea and coastal areas for the primary purpose of navigation.Elekwa recalled that in 2008, the International Hydrographic Organisation labeled Africa as the least surveyed waters, adding that because of this, ship owners charged higher freight for goods coming to Nigeria.According to him, this is the reason ship owners bring only their oldest ships to Nigeria.The hydrographer also said that because there were no maps and charts of the waterways, a ship could be lost.Elekwa called on the Federal Government to upgrade the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic office to a national office to separate hydrographic services from the administration of the Navy.
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