From Ayodele Samuel, LAgos
The collaborative efforts between Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Navy in safe guarding the Nation’s water fronts get a boost when the Authority handed over three patrol boats to the Nigerian Navy.
Speaking on the occasion, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, MallamHabibAbdullahi said the presentation is a demonstration of the Authority’s determination to collaborate and partner with other relevant government agencies to secure the nation’s territorial waters both off shore and on shore.
MallamAbdullahi added “We are optimistic that these patrol boats, consisting of one 32 meters OCEA named NNS DORINA and two 17 meters MANTA boats named NNS TORIE and NNS EGEDE , with their unique operational features and capacities, will augment the fleets of the Nigerian Navy in their search and rescue operations within the nation’s water fronts”.
The Managing Director also disclosed that the Authority in collaboration with Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has plans to rehabilitate the Forward Operational Base (FOB) of the Navy located at Takwa Bay.
Responding, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral UsmanJubrin asserted that the donation could not have come at a better time than now considering the prevailing security challenges in the nation’s maritime domain.
Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral S. I. Alade, the Chief of Naval Staff noted that Nigeria’s Maritime space is of immense importance to the nation’s maritime domain, adding that the acquisition of this platform is notable in effort towards establishment of an FOB in Takwa Bay.
While thanking the Management team of NPA for its commitment to improve security in the nation’s water ways and continue support to the Navy, he assured the Authority that the platforms will be put to good use.
