Nigerian Navy unveils 30 Brand New Made-in-Nigeria Gunboats

The Nigerian Navy yesterday in Lagos inaugurated 39 gun boats and 45 operational vehicles to assist the fight against criminalities in parts of the country. Thirty of the boats were built in Nigeria.

At the inauguration Minister, of state for Defence, Mohammad Dan-Ali said the gun boats were fitted with appropriate weapons and anti-ballistic protection to enhance optimal efficiency.

The minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Danjuma Sheni.

“The country’s security challenges have continued to demand a great deal of human and material resources to surmount, which in the light of dwindling revenue would be sustainable only with generous innovations and incorporation of home grown solutions,” he said.

He said the 30 8.2 metre boats, which were constructed for the navy by Epenal Boat Yard in Port Harcourt, would be deployed for rigorous patrols in the Niger Delta while additional 20 would be delivered subsequently.

“I am hopeful that the boats being launched today would further boost the ongoing patrol efforts in the various rivers and creeks of the country to the immense benefit of the nation’s maritime security,” the minister said.

He thanked President Buhari for his continual support and commitment to the Armed Forces.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ete-Ibas, a vice admiral, in his welcome address, said the Epenal boats were an improvement on 30 others unveiled in Port Harcourt in February.

“These boats, no doubt, have boosted navy maritime operations.

“However, as part of the efforts to continue to achieve unchallenged dominance of our maritime environment, the navy within a space of six months has launched another 39 specially built patrol boats into her fleet.

“These efforts, both then and now, represent navy’s modest contribution to enhance national security and prosperity. Of the 39 boats launched, nine were acquired from Sri Lanka and would be greatly helpful for patrol of territorial waters and the contiguous zone,” said the naval chief.

Mr. Ete-Ibas said the decision of the navy to build the boats locally was part of its resolve to look inwards in the production of the nation’s naval hardware.

“The mounting operational challenges in the face of progressively dwindling economy necessitated the navy to explore more cost saving options through local construction of these patrol boats.

“The cost of production of a unit of the boat is less than half the cost of producing similar boats from overseas. These boats retained all positive features of the previous set including being fitted with appropriate weapons for credible firepower,” the Chief of Naval staff assured.