[Mhiz Rebecca]

The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday in Lagos inaugurated 39
gun boats and 45 operational vehicles to assist the fight
against criminalities in parts of the country.
Thirty of the boats were built in Nigeria.
At the inauguration, Minister of State for Defence, Mohammad
Dan-Ali, said the gun boats were fitted with appropriate
weapons and anti-ballistic protection to enhance optimal
efficiency.
The minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary,
Danjuma Sheni.
“The country’s security challenges have continued to demand
a great deal of human and material resources to surmount,
which in the light of dwindling revenue would be sustainable
only with generous innovations and incorporation of home
grown solutions,” Mr. Dan-Ali said.
He said the 30 8.2 metre boats, which were constructed for
the navy by Epenal Boat Yard in Port Harcourt, would be
deployed for rigorous patrols in the Niger Delta while
additional 20 would be delivered subsequently.
“I am hopeful that the boats being launched today would
further boost the ongoing patrol efforts in the various rivers
and creeks of the country to the immense benefit of the
nation’s maritime security,” the minister said.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his continual
support and commitment to the Armed Forces.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ete-Ibas, a vice admiral, in his
welcome address, said the Epenal boats were an improvement
on 30 others unveiled in Port Harcourt in February.
“These boats, no doubt, have boosted navy maritime
operations.
“However, as part of the efforts to continue to achieve
unchallenged dominance of our maritime environment, the
navy within a space of six months has launched another 39
specially built patrol boats into her fleet.
“These efforts, both then and now, represent navy’s modest
contribution to enhance national security and prosperity.
“Of the 39 boats launched, nine were acquired from Sri Lanka
and would be greatly helpful for patrol of territorial waters
and the contiguous zone,” said the naval chief.
Mr. Ete-Ibas said the decision of the navy to build 60 boats
locally was part of its resolve to look inwards in the
production of the nation’s naval hardware.
“The mounting operational challenges in the face of
progressively dwindling economy necessitated the navy to
explore more cost saving options through local construction of
these patrol boats.
“The cost of production of a unit of the boat is less than half
the cost of producing similar boats from overseas.
“These boats retained all positive features of the previous set
including being fitted with appropriate weapons for credible
firepower,” Mr. Ete-Ibas said.
According to the naval chief, the gun boats also benefitted
from the incorporation of anti-ballistic protection, giving it an
edge for more audacious and aggressive employment.
“They are also expected to present a better sea-keeping ability
with a wide margin for the many corrections applied to the
design concept of Lot 1, through series of stage trials in the
production cycle.
“I can say we are gradually but steadily moving towards the
saturation of the nation’s backwaters with patrol boats for
improved security of our maritime domain, Ete-Ibas said,
adding that the boats would be deployed optimally by relevant
navy units.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on the Navy, Isa Aman-Isa,
said the committee was doing everything possible to support
the navy in tackling maritime insecurity to the fullest.
Present at the inauguration were the Chief of Defence Staff,
Gabriel Olonisakin, a General, and other top brass in the
military.