By Folasade Adeniran and Henry Oladele
Lagos – President Muhammadu Buhari says the Nigerian Navy has taken its destiny in its hands by locally producing some of its ships, especially in the face of the current recession being experienced in the country.
Buhari spoke on Thursday at the Nigerian Naval Dockyard in Victoria Island, Lagos during the inauguration of two ships – NNS Unity and NNS Karaduwa; one tug boat – NNS Top Commander Ugwu; and 27 patrol boats.
He commended the navy for looking inwards and using local engineers from the Nigerian Navy Dockyard Limited in assembling its fleet.
According to him, security of the maritime sector is vital to the nation’s well being now that the country is going through recession and arising security concerns.
“The event of today is significant for a number of reasons; first, it is most fulfilling to know that our own engineers at the Nigerian Navy Dockyard Lagos and the Naval Ship Yard Port Harcourt are wholly responsible for the building of ships.
“It is also worth noting that Nigerian Naval Unity, which is Nigeria’s newest Ship, is the second of such acquisition from the People’s Republic of China and it is a Product of Nigeria’s growing relationship with China.
“It is even more heart-warming that you have not confined your efforts into foreign sources alone, but have braced up to take your destiny in your own hands by embarking on aggressive local components from within to assemble your fleet, “Buhari said.
The President, who was accompanied by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and six Ministers, said that the Federal Government would continue to support the Navy in areas of capacity building, training and infrastructure development.
He commended the navy for its performance in the checking maritime crimes and contributing to the ongoing fight against insurgency in the North East.
Buhari admonished them to remember that the nation was in critical times, and as such, prudent resources management and patriotic rededication were critical.
“I am accordingly encouraged by the step you have taken so far,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ete Ibas, said he was delighted and profoundly humbled by the President’s presence at the occasion.
He said this was proof of his total support to the capacity building of the Navy.
Ibas said that the Navy was fully conscious of the huge investment upon it by the government, adding that the Navy was challenged by many vices including growing crime and adverse economic changes, among others.
He said in the light of these, there was need for the Navy’s fleet reactivation, adding that over 100 boats had been injected into its fleet for maritime activities.
Ibas said that the ships being commissioned had a two-pronged approach – local production and foreign investment from China.
He said this had saved the country a lot of foreign exchange and would serve as a major boost to surveillance, enforcement, and security of the maritime domain.
