- Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (right), Secretary-General, Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and the moderator of the discussion session at the closing ceremony of the International Maritime Conference and Nigerian Navy’s 68th anniversary in Lagos…Friday
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Poised to optimise the potentials of the blue economy for wealth creation and nation’s economic growth, the Nigerian Navy (NN) said it is committed to raising its local seaward vessel building capacity to at least 60 per cent 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, as chief host at the closing ceremony 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.
According to him, 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.
“We are constructing the seaward defence boats 4 and 5 at the same time and hope to conclude this project by next year; as we are concluding the project, we are going to build another two. If we do this continuously, we will start breaking the jinx of capital flight.”
He urged collaboration among the navies in the region, including Ghana and Senegal, to enable them share expertise and reduce reliance on imported ships.
On the concern for governmental support for the region’s maritime security needs, the CNS stated that the Nigerian Government is fully backing its navy, and recognises the importance of the blue economy in building wealth and eradicating poverty.
Nevertheless, he explained 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,” he stated. “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.”
For viable funding options, he added: “We want to be ingenuous in devising ways of funding our operations. To that extent, the first task for the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria is to come up with what viable options we can use to improve funding for the protection of the blue economy in Nigeria and in the sub-region.”
Meanwhile, he restated the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which promotes freedom of the sea and legitimate use of marine resources for the benefit of mankind.
“That is 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.”
