President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Lagos commissioned a Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) III, built by the Nigerian Navy.
The indigenously constructed SDB, NNS Oji, is the third of its series to be locally built at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Lagos solely by Navy engineers after the successes of NNS Adoni, and NNS Karaduwa, commissioned in 2016 by President Buhari.
Speaking at the event, which also marked the inauguration of some recently acquired platforms and the keel-laying ceremony for the construction of Boat-IV and Boat-V, President Buhari said the new inductions to the Naval fleet would boost their capability in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He charged all naval personnel to maintain professionalism and ensure good use of the newly built and recently acquired platforms including NNS LANA, KANO, IKENNE, ABA, SOKOTO and OSUN.
‘‘We should note that we are in a critical period where our country is faced with a serious decline in our revenue and the security challenges we are facing.
‘‘The present realities, therefore, call for prudent resource management, innovativeness, accountability and careful maintenance.
‘‘I wish to reiterate that despite these challenges, our administration is very determined to ensure that the Navy is well supported to achieve its statutory responsibilities.
‘Let me assure you that the Government will continue to support the ideals of the Nigerian Navy in the performance of its constitutional duties. God bless the Nigerian Navy, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Onward Together,” he said.
The President commended the Nigerian Navy for maintaining a steady course in its drive for local content development which is in tandem with the philosophy of this administration.
He said the Federal Government’s commitment to properly equip the Navy with the right mix of platforms has seen the Service take delivery of NNS LANA in May this year from France.
‘‘I commend the business dependability of Messrs OCEA Shipyard – France, the builders of our Navy’s first-ever purpose-built Offshore Survey Vessel for a conclusive and success
While appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo said the event marked another milestone in the history of the Nigerian Navy, stating that the Naval Dockyard Seaward Defence Boat Project which started in 2007 has yielded substantial reward with the completion of the third Seaward Defence Boat (SDB).
He further stated that with the experience garnered so far, the Naval Dockyard Limited is adequately poised to take on the challenge in pursuit of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Local Content Development effort.
The CNS said that the Hydrographic Ship, NNS LANA which was received from her maiden voyage from France will be involved in the hydrographic survey of Nigeria’s territorial waters.
He added that the new SBD III, Inshore Patrol Crafts and Fast Patrol Boats namely NNS ABA, NNS KANO, NNS IKENNE, NNS SOKOTO and NNS OSUN will be deployed for surveillance and patrol duties within the territorial waters.
These efforts he said are geared towards enhancing the performance of the Nigerian Navy constitutional role regarding hydrographic survey and policing the nation’s waters. Admiral Gambo assured that the vessels will be adequately maintained to sustain maritime security operations.
Admiral Gambo further reiterated that the Nigerian Navy would continue to imbibe the realities of national imperatives and apply the most optimal policies and strategies in addressing the security challenges in Nigeria’s maritime domain including the Gulf of Guinea.
He said that the platforms would be deployed in line with Nigerian Navy’s Trinity of Actions Concept of Maritime Security to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
