Buhari lauds Nigerian Navy for building own vessels

•    Says FG expects nothing less in face of recession, security challenge
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Lagos lauded the Nigerian Navy’s “great foresight” in embarking on building its fleets locally, saying the Federal Government expected no less from it amidst security challenge and recession facing the country.

Buhari said this while speaking at the commissioning ceremony of newly acquired and indigenous built ships of the Nigerian Navy at the Nigerian Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island.

The three new ships are Nigerians Naval Ship Unity, Nigerians Naval Ship Karaduwa and Nigerians Naval Ship Tugboat Commander Edwin Ugwu.

Speaking at the event, which was attended by Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; Service Chiefs, ministers, including that of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola; Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole; Minister of Defence, Monsor Ali, among others, Buhari, however, said that the prevailing situation was not new given the intimate connections between economic prosperity and security.

According to him, maritime security is vital to the nation’s well-being for a littoral state with huge dependence on her offshore resources, pointing out that the Nigerian Navy had by such effort of local assembling its new fleet acquired increased defence capacity with such empowerment also enhancing its role as instruments of diplomacy and leadership in the region and credible standing on the global stage.

“The Nigerian Navy has shown great foresight in nurturing the vision for this ship and her sister ship. It is even more heart warming that you have not confined your efforts to having recourse to foreign sources alone, but have braced up to take your destiny in your own hands by embarking on aggressive local complement provision to assemble your fleet.

“The Federal Government expects no less from you as looking inwards is the way to go amidst a uniquely challenging mix of recession and rising acute security concerns.

“The prevailing situation is not new given the intimate connections between economic prosperity and security. For a littoral state with huge dependence on her offshore resources, maritime security is vital to the nation’s well-being.

“Today, you are afforded increased defence capacity. This empowerment also enhances your role as instruments of diplomacy and leadership in the region and credible standing on the global stage,” the president said.

Speaking further, President Buhari, while commending the Nigerian Navy on what he termed as its impressive strides in the area of continued fight against maritime security threats, including piracy, oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism, also commended it for its involvement and contribution in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the North East.

He said notwithstanding, the Navy was also envisaged to play a critical role in upcoming continental programmes such as the development of sustainable blue economy for Africa adopted and signed by the African Union in October 2016, noting that, “The commissioning of these platforms is to embolden you to sustain and expand your capacity and remit.”

Buhari assured it of the Federal Government support to continue to provide it with “requirements within the limits of our resources,” saying: “Our administration is unwavering in prioritising the commitment, readiness and willingness towards strengthening the Navy through improved training, provision of modern equipment, infrastructure and attention to welfare.”
“I hasten, however, to remind you that we are at a critical period when the country faces dwindling revenues. The moment, therefore, calls for prudent resource management and patriotic re-dedication. I am accordingly encouraged by the steps you have taken so far,” President Buhari added.

Speaking earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Ibok Ekwe Ibas, who also noted that capacity building was an in- thing now, said the acquisition of the new fleet would no doubt served as a major boost to the activities of the Navy, in various areas, including surveillance and maritime security.

While applauding the Federal Government’s support over the years, Ibas said the Navy was conscious of resources committed to it by the government, promising to justify such even in the face of the numerous challenges.