The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, said the Nation’s waterways are now safer than before stating that the country has been delisted from the list of piracy-prone countries.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral A. Z. Gambo, who was ably represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral S. S. Garba, disclosed this in a press conference on the occasion of the 66th Nigerian Navy Week Celebration, at the Naval Headquarters.
He said that the consequences are enormous and positive for the shipping industry, general maritime commerce, and the national economy.
According to him, through the Fleet Recapitalization efforts; the NN has achieved significant milestones in ensuring improved maritime security for the nation’s economic prosperity.
He explained that there has been a decline in the reported cases of piracy and sea robbery attacks within Nigeria’s maritime domain leading to improved shipping into Nigeria’s waters with an attendant positive impact on the nation’s economy.
He stated that the noble achievement was complemented by the International Maritime Bureau Global Piracy Report of July 14, 2021, which indicated the lowest number of piracy and sea robberies against ships in our waters in 27 years.
According to him, the report was corroborated by the Defence Web, which noted the further decline in reported cases of piracy and armed attacks against shipping in Nigerian waters.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to notify you that the latest International Maritime Bureau report of March 3, 2022, shows that Nigeria has exited the IMB’s Piracy List.”
“This means that Nigeria is no longer on the list of piracy-prone countries. The consequences are enormous and positive for the shipping industry, general maritime commerce, and the national economy.
“In terms of strategic collaboration, the NN has continually collaborated with International and Regional partners.
“The Service has collaborated with the International Police, especially in the area of information gathering for actionable intelligence towards combating piracy and other crimes within Nigeria’s maritime domain.”
“Such collaboration led to the arrest of MV CHAYANEE NAREE in October 2021 for conveying 33kg of cocaine worth 1.5 million US Dollars from Brazil to Lagos and also, under the European.”
“Union-Coordinated Maritime Presence in the GoG, the NN collaborates with ships from European Union navies to patrol the GoG towards addressing security challenges.” He stated.
Garba also disclosed that noteworthy was the first-ever Joint Event on Strengthening Nigeria-EU Cooperation on Maritime Security, which stated that was held in Lagos on April 7, 2022, with a view to solidifying the close partnership that has developed between the Nigerian Navy, the European Union and the EU Member States operating in the region.
“Allied to these efforts is the annual multi-national maritime exercises such as Ex OBANGAME EXPRESS and Ex GRAND AFRICAN NEMO sponsored by the United States of America and France respectively. Pertinently and most recently, the NN participated in training exercises with at least 8 navies namely French, Brazilian, Royal Navy, Pakistani, Italian, Spanish, US, and Canadian Navies.
“Likewise, the NN collaborates with all navies in the Region under the auspices of the 2013 Yaoundé Code of Conduct, which prioritizes cooperation and information sharing between navies of Economic Community of West African States and Economic Community of Central African States.
“Also, under a new framework for tackling insecurity in the GoG named the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum and Shared Awareness Deconfliction (GOG-MCF/SHADE), the NN plays an active significant role as the lead agency responsible for maritime security in Nigeria.” He added.
Garba who spoke on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo, said the NN had prepared adequately to host its 65th Anniversary last year.
Garba regrettably, the failure to host the event last year but said the event was cancelled at the last minute due to the unfortunate loss of the then COAS, Lt Gen MA Attahiru, and 11 others on 21 May 2021.
“The CNS and the NN family pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and for God to look after their families.” He said.
He disclosed that the objective of the media briefing was to acquaint the general public with some recent milestones of the Nigerian Navy and also highlight the events programmed for the 66th Anniversary of the NN.
“Over time, the Nigerian Navy has grown from an offshoot of the Nigerian Marines to a formidable component of the nation’s security architecture and a major player in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
“It is evident that the NN today has made a remarkable contribution to the peace, progress, prosperity, and global image of our nation. With this legacy of service to the nation, the NN is justified to celebrate its founding days annually. To this end, elaborate arrangements have been made to mark the 2022 NN Week.
“Progressively, the NN has made giant strides, especially in the areas of Fleet Recapitalization and operational activities.
“The continuing Recapitalization of the Fleet is a top priority of the NN under the incumbent Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.
“The unflinching support of Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR through aggressive fleet recapitalization, led to acquisition of several capital ships, Fast Patrol Boats, Inshore Patrol Crafts including air assets as well as the indigenous construction of Seaward Defence Boats (SDB).” He added.
Reeling out the achievement of last year, he said Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) LANA, a Hydrographic survey ship, joined the fleet from France in December 2021, while the contract for another 35m Hydrographic Survey Ship has been signed with OCEA Shipbuilding, France.
He also, stated that on 1 April 22, the Service took delivery of its newly constructed Landing Ship Tank (LST) – 100, NNS KADA at DAMEN Shipyard in Sharjah, UAE. Subsequently, the vessel set sail on her maiden voyage to Nigeria.
“NNS KADA is expected in the country on Friday, May 27, 2022. Efforts are also ongoing for the acquisition of another LST. Furthermore, the NN recently signed a contract with DEARSAN Shipyard of Turkey for the construction of 2 X 76m High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).
“The NN is also in the process of taking delivery of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to enhance our Maritime Surveillance/Domain Awareness assets including NN response capability. Needful to add that, the construction of SDB IV and V at Naval Dockyard Limited, Lagos has commenced.
“In realization of the contemporary strategic security environment, the CNS, V Adm AZ Gambo promulgated the CNS Strategic Directive 5-2021 and the Nigerian Navy Strategic Plan 2021-2030.
“These policy documents have refocused and re-energised the NN towards higher productivity and service delivery underpinned by the NN’s core values of Integrity, Professionalism, and Teamwork.
“The NN has also performed satisfactorily in the fight against crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering through operations conducted by operations bases and Forward Operating Bases (FOBs).
“The most recent and ongoing operation in the NN is Op DAKATAR DA BARAWO (meaning “Stop the Thief” in Hausa Language) which was activated on April 1, 2022, in synergy with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited.
“Pertinently, within 7 weeks, the operation recorded some successes. Notably are the arrest of 45 suspects, deactivation of 172 Illegal Refining Sites (IRS), 745 metal storage tanks, 567 ovens, and 263 pits including the destruction of 50 wooden boats, and 14 speedboats.
“Equally, NN Patrol Teams denied oil thieves about 11,781,937 Liters of illegally refined AGO, 20,378,414 Liters (128,180 bbls) of crude oil, and 367,715 Liters of DPK. Others are about 232,000 Liters of PMS, 830,000 Liters of Sludge, and 66,000 Liters of LPFO.
“These products are worth over Fifteen Billion, Seven Hundred and Sixty-One Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand Four Hundred and Forty Naira (N15,761,536,440). This feat, already being applauded, would be sustained.
“The NN has not also relented in her effort at infrastructural development, personnel welfare, and capacity development to support her operations.” He disclosed.
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