Onne (Rivers) – The Nigerian Navy will address the accommodation deficit faced by personnel in its training schools across the country, the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Rear Adm. Joseph Okojie, has said.
Okojie made the statement during a familiarisation tour of Nigerian Naval College and Nigerian Navy Basic Training School in Onne, Rivers.
He said the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice-Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, had also ordered the training and re-training of both officers and ratings to improve their proficiency to safeguard the nation’s territorial waters.
“The CNS had earlier promised to reduce accommodation deficit and as such, accommodation gaps are currently being addressed in naval training schools.
“The Navy has stepped up training, re-training and provision of accommodation in our professional schools to ensure highly motivated and proficient workforce to meet both current and anticipated security threats.
“The total maritime strategy which is currently operational is being guarded by the strategic directives of the CNS and commitment to reposition the Navy,” he said.
Okojie said that aside from operating on sea, the Navy was providing support for security agencies on land, which required constant training of troops.
He said that the adoption of mandatory training for officers and ratings was borne out of the commitment of the CNS to drastically reduce oil theft and sea piracy on the nation’s waterways.
“Officers and ratings will also be sent abroad to acquire knowledge and skills in areas where we have capability gaps,’’ he said. (NAN)
