The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, yesterday said there are concerted efforts by foreign shipping companies to re-introduce war risk insurance on vessels going to Gulf of Guinea countries.
Recalled that Nigeria achieved a major milestone in its anti-piracy drive in 2022 when the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) delisted the country from its piracy list.
Speaking after commissioning different housing projects in Lagos area, Gambo said the zero piracy which Nigeria achieved in 2022 led to lifting of War Risk Premium tag on Nigeria.
“It is on this development that I want to emphatically state that efforts must be doubled round the clock to maintain positive postures toward sustained intelligence driven patrols to rid our maritime space of all forms of insecurity.
“These projects, which cuts across the 3 commands in Lagos, include a girl’s hostel at the Nigerian Navy Secondary School Ojo, 2 blocks of 16 by 2 bedroom for senior rates, a block of 8 by 3 bedroom for officers at Navy Town Ojo, 24 by one Under Training Rating’s Accommodation as well as renovated diving wing at the Under Water Warfare School”
“Other projects include an Administrative Block at Tongeji Island, remolded armoury and main gate at Nigerian Navy Ship QUORRA, as well as the reconstruction and remodeling of Officer’s Long and Sub Technical Course Block with befitting amenities.
Also commissioned today according CNS were shoreline revetment at Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, 3 office blocks for the Naval Doctrine Command and a 250 meters runway at Naval Air Base Ojo with in-built lights and non-directional beacons to aid training and operations in restricted visibility as well as to complement the existing 100 meters runway.
“These infrastructural developments are in addition to already commissioned as well as ongoing projects like the reconstruction of the Base Flat Officers Accommodation in Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT as well as about 2,500 meters perimeter fence of Forward Operating Base Takwa Bay” Gambo said.
Pertinently, the Nigerian Navy is cognisant of the significance of essential infrastructure and facilities within bases and barracks as they hasten necessary comfort and essential ambience to bolster security, productivity and efficiency.
“It is in this regard that the Naval Headquarters has continued to prioritize infrastructural development in the hierarchy of its preferences.
“Certainly, commissioning these structures will further ameliorate deficiencies experienced at the respective units and bases.
“I therefore commend the various senior officers that facilitated, supervised to specification and ensured today is a reality”
“I will not fail to appreciate contractors and partners for their relentless efforts at ensuring these edifices were completed successfully for use.
“As I commend these noble efforts, I also want to urge occupants and users of these structures and facilities to take absolute ownership as well as inculcate deliberate positive maintenance culture so that these legacy projects will serve future generations of personnel”
Recalled that sustained and aggressive patrols within the maritime domain, significantly reduced piracy and other maritime crimes, which culminated in delisting Nigeria from the International Maritime Bureau list of piracy prone countries in March last year.
“This further led to lifting of War Risk Premium tag on Nigeria that reduced high insurance premium for ships in Nigerian-controlled waters to about $960 as against $5,000 per shipment,” he said.
Gambo, however, said that speculations revealed that some Gulf of Guinea countries were again being considered to be tagged with the War Risk Premium due to recent developments within the Gulf of Guinea region.
It is on this development that I want to emphatically state that efforts must be doubled round the clock to maintain positive postures toward sustained intelligence driven patrols to rid our maritime space of all forms of insecurity.
Furthermore, the successful arraignment and conviction of Motor Tanker HEROIC IDUN and her crew arrested last August, sentenced after a plea bargain to pay 5 million naira as penalty for the charge and 15 million dollars as restitution to the country, is a resilient indication that the Nigerian Navy as the nation maritime sentinel will stop at nothing to ensure the domain is safer for sustainable development of the nation’s Blue Economy.
It is to be noted that the vessel and crew will not be released until the penalty and restitution are paid as well as public apologies made in the print and electronic media in Nigeria and Llyod’s list.
“We must all be encouraged by this and many other achievements of the Nigerian Navy, regardless of unguarded comments and utterances from unpatriotic individuals.
“I also want to use this avenue to remind us all that preparations for the 2023 Presidential Fleet Review have reached its climax” he added.
He said there are speculations, however, that some Gulf of Guinea countries are again being considered to be tagged with the War Risk Premium due to recent developments within the Gulf of Guinea region.
In Gambo’s words: “In honour of Mr President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who has sustained tremendous support for the Nigerian Navy towards actualization of the navy’s mandate, must be given all the attention it deserves to ensure a befitting Presidential Fleet Review as the administration draws the curtain. Accordingly, all hands must be on deck to actualize this feat”.
In conclusion the CNS commend efforts of all and sundry towards ensuring a successful commissioning today and to also re-emphasize that our aggressive posture and onslaught against maritime crimes must be sustained.