By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla has inaugurated 14 patrol gunboats to secure the maritime environment in Akwa Ibom.
At the ceremony which took place at the NSS Jubilee Jetty at Ikot Abasi Local Council of the state yesterday, Ogalla said the boats were a testimony of the priority the state government placed on maritime security
“This is a reassurance of the governor’s interest in the progress of our nation particularly security of maritime environment and economic resources.” He said.
The CNS disclosed that the state government just signed a contract with Nigerian Naval Shipyard Limited for the construction of a water transport ferry for the state noting that the ferry was key to the development of the blue economy which is important in water transport.
“It is also key to our local content capability because the contract was signed with Nigerian Navy Shipyard in Port Harcourt,” he said, adding that the ferry would be delivered in 18 months.
“All these are key to the Governor’s Arise Agenda which is improving the welfare of the people, improving their capacity to be able to contribute to economy development instead of going to criminalities.
“We believe that the governor is a visionary leader and that is why he has seen the relevance of the blue economy in economic liberation of his people and by the liberation of Nigeria as a whole.” Ogalla said.
He lamented the threat of oil theft to the development of blue economy of the nation and vowed to put an end to oil theft in Akwa Ibom in particular and the nation in general.
“We would leave no stone unturned to the menace of oil theft and other criminal activities within the waterways of Akwa Ibom and the nation in general.” He promised.
In his remarks, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom said he has signed a contract with Nigerian Navy to build a shipyard ferry boat for transportation that would plight Oron to Calabar.
He promised to turn coastal arears such as Oron, Eastern Obolo, Ibeno, Ikot Abasi into tourism heaven in order to boost economic activities in these communities.
He noted that the patrol gunboats would mitigate the activities of pyrates and other criminal elements within the coastal activities.
“This will also boost our blue print while improving the livelyhood of the people living within the coastal communities.This initiative will improve our water transport within and between our state and neighbouring states.” Eno concluded.
