Kunle Kalejaye
12 July 2016, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Federal Government of Nigeria has sought greater Technical Cooperation with the International Mobile Satellite Organisation, IMSO) to enhance the performance of the country’s Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships, LRIT system.
IMSO is the intergovernmental organisation overseeing public satellite and security communication. It was appointed by the IMO to act as the International LRIT Coordinator to ensure the operation of the international system for the Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) worldwide, by auditing and reviewing the performance of the system.
This request was made by the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi when he visited the Director General of IMSO, Captain Moin Ahmed in London recently.
Amaechi who expressed appreciation to the IMSO for its technical assistance to the country also observed that as a member state of IMSO, Nigeria has a Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) data centre operated by Pole Star.
He said that Nigeria can benefit from greater collaboration with the IMSO to enhance the performance of the LRIT system.
The Minister also requested for further collaboration with the IMSO on the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre based in Nigeria and guidance on integrating Nigerian Maritime and Aviation Search and Rescue services.
In his remarks, the Director-General of IMSO, Captain Moin Ahmed who expressed his pleasure for hosting the Hon. Minister also assured Nigeria of the cooperation of the IMSO.
Captain Ahmed promised to collaborate with the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in terms of staff training and update on new technology and equipment.
He also pledged the commitment of IMSO to offer guidance on the integration of the Maritime and Aviation Search and Rescue services in Nigeria.
