President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, August 17, through the Nigerian Navy, inaugurated 39 gun boats and 45 operational vehicles, manufactured to assist in the fight against militancy and all forms of criminality across the country.
According to news reports, 30 of the gun boats were built in Nigeria, and are fitted with appropriate weapons and anti-ballistic protective shield to enhance optimal efficiency.
The Minister of State for Defense, Mohammad Dan-Ali, who spoke on behalf of the President said, “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”.
He disclosed that the 308.2 meter boats, were constructed by the Nigerian Navy, Epenal Boat Yard in Port Harcourt, which 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 however, used the medium to thank President Buhari, for his continual support and commitment to the Armed Forces.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, while giving his welcome speech, said the Epenal boats were an improvement on 30 others unveiled in Port Harcourt in February.
He said, “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 the 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,” the Chief of Naval Staff noted.
Speaking further, Ete-Ibas, said the decision to build 60 boats locally, was part of its resolve to look inwards in the production of the nation’s naval hardware facilities.
He added: “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”.
Another highlight of the gun boats, is that they are incorporated with an anti-ballistic protection shield, giving them an edge for more audacious and aggressive employment.
According to the Naval Staff Chief, “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, maintaining that the boats would be deployed optimally by relevant navy units.
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