President Mohamadu Buhari has praised the Nigeria Navy for what he described as its support for Local Content Development, which according to him is in line with the philosophy of his administration.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who was in company of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral A.Z Gambo, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said this in Lagos on Thursday, at the commissioning of the NNS Oji. 

NNS Oji is a new Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) III, built locally at the Naval Dockyard Limited, in Lagos.

President Buhari also lauded the efforts of the Navy in the fight against maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea region. He praised the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, and all the officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Navy for their remarkable achievements

‘‘I commend the business dependability of Messrs OCEA Shipyard – France, the builders of our Navy’s first-ever purpose-built Offshore Survey Vessel for a conclusive and successful execution of the contract.

‘‘Local partners should share in this commendation for their efforts at local facilitation as outlined in the Government’s local content policy.’’

“Arrests of those involved in illegalities have yielded results as some pirates, illegal bunkering syndicates, pipeline vandals and other miscreants have been convicted during this year.

‘‘Such successes were made possible through the enforcement of our new anti-piracy law on Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019.

‘‘Furthermore, the provision of the new policy directives by the current administration of the Navy codified in such documents as the Nigerian Navy Strategic  Plan 2021-2030; the Chief of the Naval Staff Strategic Directive 2021-5 and the Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy have given the Service credible guidelines and leverage for improved operational efficiency", the President said.

Vice Admiral A.Z Gambo said the NNS Oji is the third Seaward Defence Boat to be locally built at the Naval Dockyard Limited. The first and second, being NNS Adoni and NNS Karaduwa, respectively. 

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos expressed his satisfaction with the innovative exploits of the Nigeria Navy. 

"It is quite pleasing that our Naval Engineers are building these boats locally and I must commend the Nigerian Navy for the increasing progress in keeping our territorial waters safe and securing the Gulf of Guinea.

"It is noteworthy that the APC-led Federal Government is responsible for the biggest fleet renewal effort the Nigerian Navy has seen in the last 40 years", the Governor said.

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