On December 29, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, officially commissioned 14 patrol gunboats aimed at safeguarding the maritime surroundings in Akwa Ibom state.
The inauguration of these gunboats aligns with the state’s Waterways Security Assets and took place at Helms Jetty NNS Jubilee in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
Speaking at the occasion Ogalla said, “These boats is a testimony and priority the state government places on maritime security.”
He said that security forms one of the majorvb pillars of the governor’s Arise Agenda.
“It is also a reassurance of the governor’s interest in the progress of our nation particularly security of maritime environment and economic resources,” Ogalla said.
He explained that Governor Umo Eno has signed a contract with Nigerian Naval Shipyard Limited for the construction of a water transport ferry for the state.
He noted the ferry was a key to the development of the blue economy which is important in water transport.
He said: “It is also key to our local content capability because the contract was signed with Nigerian Navy Shipyard in Port Harcourt.”
He explained that the ferry would be deliver in 18 months.
He added: “All these all keys 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.”
He lamented the treat hindering the development of blue economy of the nation to include oil theft.
He vowed to put an end to oil theft in Akwa Ibom 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.
In his remarks, Governor Eno 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 that he would turned coastal line such as Oron, Eastern Obolo, Ibeno, Ikot Abasi into tourism heaven in order to boost economic activities in these communities.
Eno said the state government was determined to develop all the local government areas and create jobs to the teeming youths of the state.
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,” Eno said.
“This initiative will improve our water transport within and between our state and neighbouring states”.
