Senator Remi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, had hailed the acquisition of two new high-endurance offshore patrol vessels for the Nigerian Navy as a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen maritime security and boost economic prosperity. Speaking at the launch ceremony in Turkey, Sen. Tinubu described the acquisition as a show of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to the safety of Nigeria’s maritime environment. The two newly launched 76-meter vessels, built by Turkish shipyard Dearsan, are expected to bolster the Navy’s capability to combat piracy, oil theft, illegal fishing, and other maritime crimes in Nigeria’s offshore waters.
With their extended endurance and deployment range, the patrol ships will also aid in enforcing regulatory compliance and surveillance over Nigeria’s economic exclusion zone and the Gulf of Guinea. Maritime security is a critical aspect of Nigeria’s economic development, as the country’s coastline and waterways are crucial for trade, commerce, and energy production. However, the Gulf of Guinea has been plagued by piracy, oil theft, and other maritime crimes, which have significant economic and humanitarian consequences.
Commendation for Dearsan’s shipbuilding ability.
Also, the new patrol vessels will play a vital role in addressing these challenges and ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria’s maritime environment. The First Lady commended Dearsan for its “high-quality shipbuilding capability” and expressed optimism that the launch marked the start of greater cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey in areas of defence and economic development. She noted that the acquisition of the High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels is another feat in the Tinubu administration’s commitment to the Nigerian Navy’s fleet renewal efforts towards a more secured maritime environment for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mattawalle, also expressed optimism that the newly launched vessels would enhance the nation’s maritime sector. He attested to the dedication and commitment of the Nigerian Navy to securing the country’s territorial waters and promoting an improved blue economy. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, noted that the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to the welfare of men of the Nigerian Navy and his resolve to provide all that is needed to enhance their job would ultimately result in reduced crimes in the maritime domain.
Blue economy to be sustained with the launch of new vessel.
Nigeria’s maritime sector is critical to the country’s economic development, with the Gulf of Guinea being a major hub for oil and gas production, fishing, and trade. However, the sector has been plagued by insecurity, with piracy, oil theft, and illegal fishing being major challenges. The new patrol vessels will play a vital role in addressing these challenges and ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria’s maritime environment. The launch of the new patrol vessels is also a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to develop its blue economy.
Notably, the blue economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation. Nigeria has significant potential for blue economy growth, with its extensive coastline and waterways offering opportunities for fishing, tourism, and energy production. The cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey in the acquisition of the new patrol vessels is also a positive development, demonstrating the potential for international collaboration in addressing maritime security challenges and promoting economic development.
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The Deputy Minister of Defence, Suay Alpay, and the Secretary of Defence, Haluk Gorgun, stated that there is room for more cooperation with Nigeria not only in the area of security but also economic development. In all, the acquisition of the two new high-endurance offshore patrol vessels is a significant boost to Nigeria’s maritime security and economic prosperity. The vessels will play a vital role in addressing maritime crimes, promoting regulatory compliance, and supporting the growth of the blue economy. The cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey in this regard is also a positive development, demonstrating the potential for international collaboration in addressing maritime security challenges and promoting economic development.
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