The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, said the newly-acquired platforms will increase the Nigerian Navy’s dominance and influence in the fight against crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline vandalism, piracy and illegal unreported unregulated fishing activities within the Nigerian territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
The Minister made the statement at the Passing out Parade of Batch 34 Trainees of Nigerian Navy Basic Training School in Onne, Port Harcourt at the weekend.
He said the new platforms would further expand the reach and coverage of the Nigerian Navy patrol capabilities within the back waters and the inland waterways, FOB LEKKI, FOB EKPE, Naval Base OGUTA, NOP TARKWA BAY and NOP SHAGUNU that were recently established.
While speaking to the 1,865 trainees of the Batch 34, the Minister charged them to hold strongly to the core values of the Nigerian Navy footed on integrity, professionalism and teamwork, pointing out that they are the keys to victory in any assigned task.
He commended the efforts of the Nigerian Navy, saying that with enough trained personnel and with the acquisition of the new platform, the fight against criminalities and illegalities in the Nigerian waters and that of the Gulf of Guinea would reduce drastically.
