US embassy cable - 05LAGOS1871

UNCLAS LAGOS 001871 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - HANDLE ACCORDINGLY 
 
STATE FOR AF/W 
STATE FOR INR/AA 
STATE FOR EB/TRA/OTP DORIS HAYWOOD 
STATE FOR OES/STC JULIE ROTTIER 
STATE PASS DOC FOR KBURRESS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, ECON, EWWT, NI 
SUBJECT: COOPERATION ON MARITIME SAFETY AND SECURITY 
 
 
1. (SBU) Summary. The National Maritime Authority (NMA) met 
with US Office of Naval Research Global team on December 6 to 
discuss mutual maritime safety and security cooperation and 
research. NMA Director General emphasized the need for USG 
assistance in training cadets, producing accurate coastal 
charts and maps, exchanging maritime safety intelligence, and 
improving search and rescue operations. End Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) The USG team met NMA members at their Lagos 
headquarters on December 6 to gauge their interest in 
scientific research and maritime cooperation. NMA Director 
General Festus Ugwu said collaboration with the USG would be 
necessary to protect Nigeria's coastal waters and ensure the 
safety of vessels. He welcomed any USG assistance in 
improving NMA's effectiveness. 
 
3. (SBU) NMA Maritime Safety Director Captain Ade Olopaenia 
said there were seven specific areas for mutual cooperation. 
These areas included: bathymetric surveys, geophysical 
surveys, search and rescue operations, maritime safety 
intelligence exchanges, training for hydrographic surveys, 
training cadets on U.S. navy vessels, and improving maritime 
chart mapping and production capabilities. DG Ugwu said NMA 
would welcome USG assistance in training personnel in 
developing and maintaining navigational charts. (Note: Most 
of their navigational charts date back to the 1960s. End 
note.) 
 
4. (SBU) DG Ugwu said NMA would establish a Maritime Rescue 
Coordination Center by April 2005 and work with the Nigerian 
Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to coordinate search and 
rescue operations for land, air, and sea. The Center would be 
based in Lagos and serve as a hub for regional maritime 
cooperation, Ugwu said. He supported regional and USG 
cooperation in maritime data research and intelligence 
exchanges. 
 
5. (SBU) Comment: DG Ugwu appeared sincere in his desire to 
open communication channels with the USG. The positive 
response from NMA officials to maritime cooperation appeared 
to be aligned with U.S. Navy and EUCOM objectives. End 
Comment. 
 
This cable has been cleared by U.S. Office of Naval Research 
Global Associate Director Melissa Flagg and Commander Naval 
Forces Europe/Commander Sixth Fleet Senior Adviser John 
Mittleman. 
BROWNE