The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok Ete Ibas, has inaugurated Pontoon and Shore Protection Wall at the Naval Outpost Koluama II, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
This, he said, was to boost the professional efficiency of the Nigerian Naval personnel.
The Command Information Officer, Commander Blessed Nuhu, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.
Ibas, who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding ( FOC) Central Naval Command, Rear Adm. Suleiman Garba, said the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an important event observed in commemoration of the end of the Second World War.
“The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is a special occasion for all of us to express our commitment to the values for which all those who sacrificed their lives in the course of their service to Nigeria died for.
“Our hearts are with their families at this time. We would always remember their sacrifices to secure this nation.
“This occasion also calls for our continued effort to address calls for urgent attention to the modernisation of equipment and other military hardware required to effectively combat the current security challenges we face as a nation.
“It is pertinent to note at this juncture that in order for our veterans to continue to share the comradeship that existed while in Service and for their welfare to be adequately catered for, the Federal Government established the Nigerian Legion and has ensured the timely payment of their pensions,” he said.
Garba said that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has ensured the timely provision of adequate resources and necessary logistics support for the Armed Forces to operate with the best and modern warfare equipment.
He that the Nigerian Navy has concentrated efforts towards expanding her operations in the Niger Delta to address the myriads of security challenges bedevilling the region such as crude oil theft, arms smuggling and piracy, among others.
“This necessitates the need for deployment of robust naval platforms to effectively combat these threats as well as the infrastructure to support maritime operation in the theatre.
“Realising the relevance of adequate facilities for enhanced operations, the Nigerian Navy recognised the need to urgently address issues of inadequate infrastructure.
“We are therefore gathered here today to witness a significant step towards attaining our goal of providing adequate fighting capacity through infrastructural development in the Nigerian Navy.
“This commissioning ceremony signifies Nigerian Navy’s effort towards eradicating Crude Oil theft and other criminalities in the maritime area.
“In line with the Strategic Directives of the Chief of Naval Staff by providing needed infrastructural development in the Central Naval Command.
“The Naval Outpost concept was conceptualised in order to increase the time on task for sustained naval deployments through emplacement of fighting units near the forward edges of the battle area.
“It is my firm belief that with the crucial role modern infrastructure plays in the maintenance of naval assets for enhanced naval operations, the provision of this infrastructure would promote more successes against all forms of criminality in the nation’s maritime space.
“Therefore, the importance of commissioning these Pontoon and Shore Protection Wall for Naval Outpost Koluama II cannot be over emphasised.
“It is only a step in our drive to become an efficient force capable of deploying against multiple threats while sustaining the Nigerian Navy’s combat ready posture.
“The construction of the Pontoon and Shore Protection wall is also a major transformation of the Naval Outpost which increases her capacity to withstand reasonable amount of natural environmental factors and also launch and recover her platforms.
“This is most evident especially considering that the Outpost started without these facilities to weather initial challenges associated with running the Base at its infancy.
“In the nearest future, it is envisaged that the Base can accommodate bigger boats and would realise its potential as both a logistic and operations hub for the Command.
“To those of you presently serving here, this calls for more dedication and commitment. You must be more resolute and dogged in the discharge of your assigned tasks.
“Be proud to serve the country and do so with utmost commitment by shunning all acts of criminality. With this project commissioned today, it is evident that the Nigerian Navy is steaming on the right course.
“If this tempo is sustained, I am confident that in the nearest future, the Central Naval Command would be sufficiently empowered to completely secure her Area of Responsibility,” he stated.
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