- Lekki Port, Dangote Refinery, Others Developed Without Navy’s Perspective
As part of efforts to grow the nation’s maritime sector, the Nigerian Navy has revealed that it is working within a 9-year strategic growth plan to have its vessel building capacity grow by 60 percent local before 2030.
This was disclosed by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, after the presentation, “Leveraging Maritime Security Collaboration for Harnessing Blue Economy in Africa: Strategies and Mechanisms for Success,” by the Secretary General, Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Dr. Paul Adalikwu.
Ogalla was giving the closing ceremony speech of the NN’s International Maritime Conference Friday in Lagos as part of its 68th anniversary, with the theme, “Promoting the Blue Economy in Africa through International Cooperation on Maritime Security,” described shipbuilding and repair as a key aspects of the blue economy.
“The NN’s 2021-2030 strategic plan includes building at least 60 per cent of its ships, and the institution has already constructed seaward defence boats 1, 2 and 3, now working on boats four and five, billed to be completed by next year.”
“One key aspect of the blue economy is our ability for ship repairs and building,” Ogalla said. “In the Nigerian Navy Strategic Plan 2021-2030, we have made that aspect of shipbuilding part of our goal.”
“So, we intend to achieve at least 60 per cent of local shipbuilding capability before 2030. We have the seaward defence boat 1, 2 and 3 but we have it in our agenda now to ensure we redouble efforts in this regard,” he said.
He, however, highlighted the need for collaboration among the navies in the region, including Ghana and Senegal, to enable them share expertise and reduce reliance on imported ships.
Meanwhile, he posited that funding remained a challenge, adding that with limited resources and a weaker economy compared to European countries, countries in the region can only do according to their capabilities.
“We still have the problem of funding and our resources are limited. In West Africa, our economy is not as strong as that of Europe, so we need funding and the challenge that we have is beyond the challenges of those countries that are richer than us.”
“One of the overriding principles of this nation and the Nigerian Navy is solidly behind that principle and we are ready to work with our international and regional navies to promote that principle even beyond our waters up to the entire Gulf of Guinea,” the Naval boss said.
However, the Nigerian Navy has frowned at the practice of neglecting the Force’s security intelligence perspectives in the development of huge maritime assets across the nation.
The Hydrographer of the nation, Rear Admiral Ayodeji Olugbode, made this point during a panel session at the event as he opined that the development of new ports, refineries and oil and gas assets are usually carried out without Naval officers perspective on maritime security needs.
“We need to engage government to get Navy into the room when discussing those huge projects including the likes of Dangote Refinery and other refinery projects, Lekki deep seaport, other seaport projects, oil and gas assets, etc,” Olugbode said.
