Navy Unveils First Locally-Made Vessel In W’Africa

The Nigerian Navy has successfully completed the construction of a locally made vessel, the first of its kind in the West African sub-region, the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ola´Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim said this on Sunday in Calabar in a message to the Inter Denominational Church Service held to mark the 56th Anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.

The message was delivered by the Field Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Olufemi Ogunjimi.

The Naval Chief said that the construction of the vessel was a bold step taken by the Navy as part of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda.

“Accordingly, a 31 metre Seaward Defence Boat constructed by the Nigerian Navy will be commissioned on Friday, June 1, by President and Commander -in- Chief, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

“This is the first war ship constructed locally in the West African sub- region,” he said.

He said that the milestone was part of a sustained research and development in the Nigerian Navy “towards achieving national transformation.”

Ibrahim also disclosed that the President has approved the purchase of two new Offfshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) for the Navy.

“The President will also lay the keel of the second Seaward Defence Boat to be built soon by the Navy,” he added.

He announced that the government had approved the creation of a third operational command, known as the Central Naval Command, with temporary headquarters at Yenegoa.

According to him; “this is with a view to tackling the myriad of security challenges including various forms of trafficking, militancy, piracy, sabotage and attack on shipping.

“The Central Naval Command will also ensure a more robust capability on riverine and special operations including the protection of key and vulnerable points.”

He said that the Navy had also established a new unit known as “Naval Standards and Evaluation” in Lagos.

Ibrahim said that the nation’s maritime frontiers were better secured now due to the installation of “modern Regional Maritime Awareness Capability systems”.