The Nigerian Navy says over 173 assorted boats for offensive and defensive duties have been acquired by the service to ensure effectively policing the Gulf of Guinea and other riverline areas to safe guard and boost the nation’s maritime economy.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas who made this known at a briefing to commence activities marking the 62nd anniversary of the Nigerian Navy disclosed that the boats would go a long way in bolstering the Navy’s capacity to police and carry out survey of Nigeria’s maritime environment.
Represented by the Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Groy Ibe Enwo, the CNS said there has been enhanced surveillance resulting in the arrest of as at least 42 vessels for involvement in various illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He said the offending vessels and the perpetrators are undergoing various stages of investigations and prosecutions.
Vice Admiral Ibas pointed out that such policing operations are specifically aimed at checking crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, piracy/sea robbery and illegal fishing among others.
On gains of enhanced surveillance on piracy and other seaward attacks, he said, “We have done very well I must say. In 2016 for instance, we had 76 reported attacks while in 2017 we had 34 and this year the attacks is reducing, because our ability to counter this attacks has improved due to the various exercises we engage in to build capacity of the men”.
“This has been made possible through upgrade of available maritime surveillance equipment, which includes the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) and Falcon Eye systems.
“Accordingly, the Nigerian Navy has 9 RMAC sites established at Badagry, Bonny, Naval Base Apapa, Ibaka, Brass, FOB FORMOSO, NHQ as well as the Headquarters of the Eastern and Central Naval Commands. Similarly, the Navy is working towards increasing its ‘Falcon Eye’ system from 9 sites at present to 12.
“When completed, these facilities will enable the Navy expand its surveillance coverage of Nigeria’s maritime domain, with more effective check on illegalities.
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On the line-up of activities to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Nigerian Navy, the CNS said they would include the commissioning of some projects in the Commands. Notable among the projects is the Nigerian Navy Military School, Ikot Ntuen in Akwa Ibom State which will be commissioned on 23 May 18.
Thereafter, Special Juma’at Prayers for the 2018 Navy Week activities will be held in Abuja area and the Commands on 25 May 18. On Saturday 26 May 18, the Commands will carry out Medical Rhapsody.
The Rhapsody is a grassroots social and medical outreach programme usually held in rural communities where there is naval presence or where the Nigerian Navy is having a major event. It is estimated that a large number of people will benefit from the exercise.
On Sunday 27 May 18, the NN will hold Inter-Denominational Church Service in Abuja and simultaneously in the Commands.
Additionally, some NN ships will be open to visitors the next day in the major naval bases at Lagos, Calabar and Port Harcourt.
The ships will remain open to visitors till Wednesday 30 May 18, when the 2018 Regional Maritime Exercise (REMEX) will be flagged off at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The REMEX is an international event in which ships from at least 7 foreign navies, including the US Navy, Chinese Navy, French Navy, Portuguese Navy, Ghana Navy, Cameroonian Navy and Togolese Navy will take part.
The objective of the REMEX is to enhance collaboration between the NN and foreign navies in combating security threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
Furthermore, the exercise will afford the Chief of the Naval Staff the opportunity to evaluate the operational effectiveness of the naval fleet individually and collectively.
The exercise will dovetail into the International Maritime Conference (IMC) which will be held at the Admiralty Conference Centre, Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos on 31 May 18.
The theme of the 2018 IMC is, “Enhancing an Integrated Maritime Strategy for Security in the Gulf of Guinea.”
The objective of the Conference is to improve on the synergy of efforts between the Nigerian Navy and the international community in combating current and emerging security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Conference is also an avenue for the NN to solicit support from the international community and other maritime stakeholders in dealing with the security challenges in the nation’s maritime environment.
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