By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Nigerian Navy (NN), said, it is collaborating with critical stakeholders in maritime environment, to evolve impeccable and workable strategies, to permanently deny oil thieves and economic saboteurs, in Nigeria’s territorial waters, and by extension the Gulf of Guinea, freedom of action.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, made this disclosure, during his meeting with maritime stakeholders at Naval Headquarters in Abuja, on Tuesday.
He also seize the opportunity to reassure the maritime stakeholders of the NN’s commitment to create the enabling environment for legitimate maritime activities to thrive.
The CNS said: “It is my expectation that this meeting will bring about renewed action and a reaffirmation of our commitment to jointly protect our maritime domain. I am hopeful that we will leave here not with words, but with strategies that will assist us in securing a prosperous maritime future for Nigeria. Together, we shall evolve approaches that leave no loophole for the criminal elements and economic saboteurs to exploit”.
Vice Admiral Ogalla said the meeting, is one of the regular engagements with the NN, aimed at fostering common understanding, synergy and mutual trust among maritime stakeholders.
“Accordingly, the meeting will focus on addressing some pertinent concerns that will strengthen our partnerships and working relationships so that we will all benefit optimally from the maritime environment and foster the nation’s blue economy for Nigeria’s national development.
“With the crop of sound and progressive minds present at this meeting today, I am optimistic that our deliberations will advance our common comprehension of what is required of us all to contribute meaningfully towards realising the objectives of the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President,” he said.
The CNS, noted that since his assumption of office in June 2023, he had steered the Nigerian Navy towards ensuring maritime security by conducting several operations and emplacing policies aimed at boosting crude oil production and curbing the menace of oil theft.
This, he said, would not have been possible without stakeholders’ sincere understanding, cooperation and support, adding that “owing to the fact that the collective effort of our maritime stakeholders is required to create a conducive environment for increased oil production and maritime economic activities, the Nigerian Navy has deemed it necessary to call this all important stakeholders meeting”.
Admiral Ogalla averred that the Nigerian Navy has recorded some successes through various operations and bilateral engagements to attain its strategic goals.
He noted that in realisation of the need to consolidate on gains recorded in its various operations, stressing that, “we have deemed it imperative for us all to jointly look at the salient issues bothering on maritime security, ease of doing maritime businesses and observance of operational procedures among others, for enhanced national security and economic prosperity”.
