Buhari inaugurates first made in Nigeria vessel, NNS Oji

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Lagos commissioned Seaward Defence Boat III, also known as NNS Oji, built by the Nigerian Navy.

The event marked the inauguration of some recently acquired platforms and the keel-laying ceremony for the construction of Boat-IV and Boat-V.

NNS Oji is the third of its series to be locally built at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Lagos solely by Navy engineers after the successes of NNS Adoni, and NNS Karaduwa, commissioned in 2016 by President Buhari.

Speaking at the event, Buhari said the new inductions to the naval fleet would boost their capability in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.

This is as he charged all naval personnel to maintain professionalism and ensure good use of the newly built and recently acquired platforms including NNS LANA, KANO, IKENNE, ABA, SOKOTO and OSUN.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, titled ‘At Naval Dockyard, President Buhari Commissions NNS Oji, Another Made-In-Nigeria Vessel.’

He quoted Buhari as saying, ‘‘we should note that we are in a critical period where our country is faced with a serious decline in our revenue and the security challenges we are facing.

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“I wish to reiterate that despite these challenges, our administration is very determined to ensure that the Navy is well supported to achieve its statutory responsibilities.

“Let me assure you that the Government will continue to support the ideals of the Nigerian Navy in the performance of its constitutional duties. God bless the Nigerian Navy, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Onward Together,” he said.

The President commended the Nigerian Navy for maintaining a steady course in its drive for local content development which is in tandem with the philosophy of this administration.

He said the Federal Government’s commitment to properly equip the Navy with the right mix of platforms has seen the Service take delivery of NNS LANA in May this year from France.

‘‘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,’’ he said.

Buhari acknowledged that the Federal Government is aware of the Navy’s dedication towards ensuring the security of the vast oil and gas industry in the nation’s maritime environment as well as sea lanes of communications.

According to him, given the present high dependence on oil and gas revenues, the Navy is undeniably a major contributor to the economic well-being of Nigeria.