The Nigerian
Navy yesterday in Lagos inaugurated 39 gun boats and 45 operational vehicles to
assist the fight against criminalities in parts of the country. Thirty of the
boats were built in Nigeria.
At the
inauguration Minister, of state for Defence, Mohammad Dan-Ali said the gun
boats were fitted with appropriate weapons and anti-ballistic protection to
enhance optimal efficiency.
The minister
was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Danjuma Sheni.
“The country’s
security challenges have continued to demand a great deal of human and material
resources to surmount, which in the light of dwindling revenue would be
sustainable only with generous innovations and incorporation of home grown
solutions,” he said.
He said the 30
8.2 metre boats, which were constructed for the navy by Epenal Boat Yard in
Port Harcourt, would be deployed for rigorous patrols in the Niger Delta while
additional 20 would be delivered subsequently.
“I am hopeful
that the boats being launched today would further boost the ongoing patrol
efforts in the various rivers and creeks of the country to the immense benefit
of the nation’s maritime security,” the minister said.
He thanked
President Buhari for his continual support and commitment to the Armed Forces.
The Chief of
Naval Staff, Ibok Ete-Ibas, a vice admiral, in his welcome address, said the
Epenal boats were an improvement on 30 others unveiled in Port Harcourt in
February.
“These boats,
no doubt, have boosted navy maritime operations.
“However, as
part of the efforts to continue to achieve unchallenged dominance of our
maritime environment, the navy within a space of six months has launched
another 39 specially built patrol boats into her fleet.
“These
efforts, both then and now, represent navy’s modest contribution to enhance
national security and prosperity. Of the 39 boats launched, nine were acquired
from Sri Lanka and would be greatly helpful for patrol of territorial waters
and the contiguous zone,” said the naval chief.
Mr. Ete-Ibas
said the decision of the navy to build the boats locally was part of its
resolve to look inwards in the production of the nation’s naval hardware.
“The mounting
operational challenges in the face of progressively dwindling economy
necessitated the navy to explore more cost saving options through local
construction of these patrol boats.
“The cost of
production of a unit of the boat is less than half the cost of producing
similar boats from overseas. These boats retained all positive features of the
previous set including being fitted with appropriate weapons for credible
firepower,” the Chief of Naval staff assured.
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