President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed confidence that the Nigerian Navy is fully ready to play a critical role in upcoming continental programmes, such as the development of sustainable blue economy for Africa which was adopted and signed by the African Union in October 2016.
The President, who did not say where and when the programme would be held, spoke today in Lagos at the commissioning ceremony of the Nigerian Navy ships, known as Unity, Karaduwa and Tugboat Commander Edwin Ugwu at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island.
He said that it is most fulfilling to note that the Nigerian Navy engineers and the Naval Shipyard, Port Harcourt are wholly responsible for the building of the Seaward Defence Boat, Nigerian Navy Ship KARADUWA and the Tugboat COMMANDER EDWIN UGWU, respectively.
“It is also worth noting that NNS UNITY, which is Nigeria’s newest warship, is the second of such acquisitions from the Peoples’ Republic of China and is a product of Nigeria’s growing relationship with China.
“I take this opportunity to pay tribute to this friendship, especially in acknowledgement of the mutually helpful military cooperation, of which the Nigerian Navy has been a major beneficiary. I recall with profound appreciation the gesture of the Chinese Government in donating an offshore patrol boat to the Navy at the time of taking delivery of the sister ship of Nigerian Navy Unity last year.”
President Buhari commended the business dependability of China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company Limited, the builders of these Offshore Patrol Vessels for seeing to a conclusive and successful execution of the contracts. In the same vein, I enjoin their local partners to share in this commendation for their efforts at local facilitation.
He said that the Nigerian Navy has shown great foresight in nurturing the vision for this ship and her sister ship. It is even more heartwarming that you have not confined your efforts to having recourse to foreign sources alone, but have braced up to take your destiny in your own hands by embarking on aggressive local complement provision to assemble your fleet. The Federal Government expects no less from you as looking inwards is the way to go amidst a uniquely challenging mix of recession and rising acute security concerns.
“The prevailing situation is not new given the intimate connections between economic prosperity and security. For a littoral state with huge dependence on her offshore resources, maritime security is vital to the nation’s well-being. Today you are afforded increased defence capacity. This empowerment also enhances your role as instruments of diplomacy and leadership in the region and credible standing on the global stage. The Navy’s impressive strides in the area of continued fight against maritime security threats like piracy, oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism are well known.
“As a truly national service, I commend your involvement and contribution in the on-going fight against insurgency in the North East. The commissioning of these platforms is to embolden you to sustain and expand your capacity and remit.”
Buhari gave assurance that the Federal Government will continue to provide their requirements within the limits of the nation’s resources, adding that his administration is unwavering in prioritizing the commitment, readiness and willingness towards strengthening the Navy through improved training, provision of modern equipment, infrastructure and attention to welfare.
He reminded them that Nigeria is at a critical period when it faces dwindling revenues and that such situation calls for prudent resource management and patriotic re-dedication even as he said that he was encouraged by the steps they have taken so far.
“The entrenchment of new policy directives codified in such functional documents as the 2011 – 2020 Transformation Plan, Five Year Quick Impact Strategic Plan and the Total Spectrum Strategy are credible guidelines for improved efficiency. I urge you to keep it up.” [myad]
