Following recent accusations and counter accusations about the operations of various organizations and concerns in the nation’s oil sector and maritime domain which has negatively impacted oil production among others, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla on Tuesday held a meeting with key Maritime stakeholders including the NNPC in Abuja to “discuss matters relating to our common interest of ensuring security in the nation’s maritime environment and for your businesses to thrive towards a collective goal of national economic prosperity”.
The CNS said, “In realization of the need to consolidate on gains recorded in our various operations, we have deemed it imperative for us all to jointly look at the salient issues bothering on maritime security, ease of doing maritime businesses and observance of operational procedures among others, for enhanced national security and economic prosperity.
“This meeting therefore is one of the regular engagements with the NN, aimed at fostering common understanding, synergy and mutual trust among maritime stakeholders.
“Accordingly, the meeting will focus on addressing some pertinent concerns that will strengthen our partnerships and working relationships so that we will all benefit optimally from the maritime environment and foster the nation’s blue economy for Nigeria’s national development.
“With the crop of sound and progressive minds present at this meeting today, I am optimistic that our deliberations will advance our common comprehension of what is required of us all to contribute meaningfully towards realizing the objectives of the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
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Continuing, Admiral Ogalla said, “Under my leadership, I have steered the Nigerian Navy towards ensuring maritime security by conducting several operations and emplacing policies aimed at boosting crude oil production and curbing the menace of oil theft.
“This would not have been possible without your sincere understanding, cooperation and support. Owing to the fact that the collective effort of our maritime stakeholders is required to create a conducive environment for increased oil production and maritime economic activities, the Nigerian Navy has deemed it necessary to call this all important stakeholders meeting.
He thanked the stakeholders, “for your support both individually and collectively in assisting the Navy towards the attainment of her constitutional mandate of policing the maritime environment for economic prosperity and national development.
“The Nigerian Navy has thus recorded some successes through various operations and bilateral engagements to attain its strategic goals.
Acknowledging the unflinching support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has readily provided the needed resources and moral support needed by the NN to seamlessly deliver on its constitutional mandate, the Naval Chief said, “It is my expectation that this meeting will bring about renewed action and a reaffirmation of our commitment to jointly protects our maritime domain.
“I am hopeful that we will leave here not with words, but with strategies that will assist us in securing a prosperous maritime future for Nigeria.
“Together, we shall evolve approaches that leave no loophole for the criminal elements and economic saboteurs to exploit. So, as we deliberate, I urge you to air your views freely and let sustainable solutions be forged in our shared experiences. Be reassured that the NN is committed to creating the enabling environment for legitimate maritime activities to thrive.”
