By Emmanuel Nduka
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated a Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) III, built indigenously by the Nigerian Navy.
The 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, inaugurated in 2016 by President Buhari.
President Buhari while speaking at the event on Thursday in Lagos, which also marked the inauguration of some recently acquired platforms and the keel-laying ceremony for the construction of Boat-IV and Boat-V, said the new inductions to the Naval fleet would boost their capability in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Buhari 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.
While commending the Nigerian Navy for maintaining a steady course in its drive for local content development, he said the Nigerian 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 successful execution of the contract.
“Local partners should share in this commendation for their efforts at local facilitation as outlined in the Government’s local content policy,” the President added.
