The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday in Lagos
inaugurated 39 gun boats and 45 operational vehicles to assist the fight
against criminals and vandals 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 that the gun boats were fitted with appropriate
weapons and anti-ballistic protection to enhance optimal efficiency.
“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 solution.”
He said that the thirty 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 Muhammadu Buhari for his
continual support and commitment to the Armed Forces.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok
Ete-Ibas, in his welcome address, said that 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.”
Ete-Ibas said the decision of the navy to
build 60 boats locally was part of her 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,” He said.
According to the naval chief, the gun boats
also benefitted from the incorporation of anti-ballistic protection, giving it
edge for more audacious and aggressive employment.
“They are also expected to present a better sea-keeping ability
with a wide margin for the many corrections applied to the design concept of
Lot 1, through series of stage trials in the production cycle.
“I can say we are gradually but steadily moving towards the
saturation of the nation’s backwaters with patrol boats for improved security
of our maritime domain, Ete-Ibas said, adding that the boats would be deployed optimally
by relevant navy units.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on the Navy,
Senator Isa Aman-Isa, said the committee was doing everything possible to
support the navy in tackling maritime insecurity to the fullest.
Present at the inauguration were the Chief of
Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin and other top brass in the military.
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