My administration added 20 ships, increasing Navy’s capacity – Buhari

The Nigerian Navy now reportedly has more than 20 capital ships thanks to the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

On Monday in Lagos, during the Nigerian Navy 2023 Presidential Fleet Review, with the theme: ‘Readiness for National Prosperity,’ President Major General Muhhammadu Buhari (ret.), who made the statement, said this.

During the exercise, President Buhari inspected 16 ships that were part of the Nigerian Navy as well as partnering naval ships from Ghana and Italy onboard the waters that were considered to be part of the nation’s territorial waters. He praised the shipbuilding efforts of the Nigerian Navy.

The President stated that his administration recognised an inextricable link between maritime security and economic prosperity. As a result, his administration worked diligently to recapitalize the Nigerian Navy fleet throughout his entire term as President.

Over twenty warships of significant size have been added to the Nigerian Navy’s fleet. In addition to over 300 inshore patrol vessels and assault craft, these ships include offshore patrol vessels, landing ship transports, hydrographic survey vessels, seaward defence boats, and helicopters. Additionally, these ships conduct seaward defence operations.

During this fleet review, I had the honour of commissioning three new ships: the NNS KADA, a landing ship transport built in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; the NNS IBENO, a supply ship donated by the People’s Republic of China; and the new helicopter NN410, which was manufactured in Italy. I have the utmost respect and gratitude for the donation as well as the mutual military cooperation that our ship-building partner nations have provided for their support, which has encouraged local shipbuilding by the Nigerian Navy,” he stated.

According to President Buhari, the rate of piracy in the country has dropped dramatically over the past seven years, resulting in Nigeria’s removal from the list of countries at high risk of piracy maintained by the International Maritime Bureau in March 2022.

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“I will particularly commend the diligent arraignment and persecution of MT Heroic Idun, which followed the detection and arrest of the vessel for attempting to load crude oil, offshore Bonny in August 2022 without authorisation, amongst other offences. “I will particularly commend the diligent arraignment and persecution of the vessel. According to Buhari, “this successful conviction further confirms the Navy’s resolve to protect resources for economic prosperity.”

According to him, the Nigerian Navy’s efforts in indigenous shipbuilding in accordance with the nation’s local content development plan are producing fruitful results. He stated that these efforts are yielding positive results.

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