Naval Dockyard To Refurbish Six Benin Republic Navy Warships

Plans have been concluded for the Nigerian Navy (NN) to refurbish six warships belonging to Benin Republic Navy (BRN) for improved security in the Gulf of Guinea

The agreement for the repairs which would be done at the Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL) in Victoria Island, Lagos, was signed on Thursday afternoon at the Naval Headquarters of BRN in Cotonou.

Speaking after the historic event, the Admiral Superintendent, NDL, Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, said it was thanks to the visionary leadership and dynamic ingenuity of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, that the NN was able to seal the deal.

He said the warships- BNS PENDJARI, BNS OUEME, BNS ALIBORI, BNS ZOU, BNS MATELOT BRICE KPOMASSE and BNS COUFFFO, departed Cotonou at the weekend for Lagos, adding that the repairs period would be 10 months.

The NDL boss said the Yard was a strategic national asset and a force multiplier that caters to the defence and maritime needs in the construction, maintenance and repair of naval platforms.

According to him, the historic partnership with Benin Republic Navy would not only lead to the strengthening of that country’s navy but also enhance security of the Gulf of Guinea waters.

The Admiral Superintendent said he was hopeful that more ventures would be explored where the parties can operate to deliver groundbreaking innovations to improve maritime security in the region and promote further growth of their respective and collective economies. 

He said talks about the repairs had been ongoing and Nigeria’s CNS, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla granted approval for the NDL to engage the Benin Republic Navy.

“Based on that, we have had series of visits, surveys, assessments and  have done all sorts of analysis on these vessels with the view to working out modalities for carrying out the repairs. 

Today is a historic day in the history of the Nigerian Navy and Benin Republic Navy. It is a very important occasion because this is indicative of talks about regional cooperation among Navies of the region. It talks about enhancing operational efficiencies among the Navies of the region and it also talks about enhancing friendships and cooperation among the Navies of the region.

“The Naval Dockyard will be playing a key role in the execution of this contract, all arrangements have been put in place for the project. 

Some of the ships will go to Nigeria on their own steam, as in, they will sail to Nigeria and some will have to be brought to Nigeria by some other means and then all the repairs will take place at the Naval Dockyard. 

“It is worthy of note that the Naval Dockyard stands proudly as a strategic national asset of Nigeria and a force multiplier to cater for the defence and maritime needs in the construction, maintenance and repair of naval platforms. 

“The yard also extends these services to the larger maritime/merchant community to promote and sustain Nigeria’s maritime sector towards enhancing national security.

“The NDL’s activities and achievements have stimulated indigenous shipbuilding and maintenance and facilitated local content development for self reliance and national development. 

“To this end, the yard provides comprehensive engineering services to numerous clientele that cut across the military, government agencies and the private sector, standing out as an institution propelling Nigeria’s maritime sector to greater heights while significantly contributing to cordial international relations and diplomacy. 

“The Naval Dockyard Limited has demonstrated capacity and willingness to dock six Republic of Benin Navy patrol boats namely, BNS PENDJARI, BNS OUEME, BNS ALIBORI, BNS ZOU, BNS MATELOT BRICE KPOMASSE and BNS COUFFFO, for repairs. 

“As a capable and responsible corporate citizen, this bold step is aimed at positioning the Naval Dockyard Limited as a strategic player in shipbuilding and repairs as well as offshore construction and maritime support service provider within Nigeria, the West African region and the African continent as a whole.

“It is further noteworthy that docking and repairing the vessels in the yard represents a significant milestone in improving our collective regional capacity in maritime security and military cooperation between both navies and nations. 

“It is on this basis that I would like to state that the Yard is committed and more than ready to execute the docking and repair of the vessels to restore them to optimum levels in line with the scope of work specified in the contract. 

“I am therefore grateful to the Almighty God and pleased to sign the contract with the Republic of Benin Navy, on behalf of Naval Dockyard, as approved by our visionary and dynamic Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admira EI Ogalla, Admiralty Medal. 

“I am indeed confident that the contract between the Naval Dockyard Limited and the Republic of Benin Navy would strengthen international relations as well as mutual trust between the Nigerian Navy and Benin Navy, with several prospects for promoting bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. 

“This project is also expected to engender patronage from other navies within and outside the region as well as establish the yard as a regional hub for ship construction and maintenance, paving the way for greater achievements.”

The Nation reports that with such moves, the Nigerian Navy, through the NDL might soon become a major hub of maintenance for Naval Forces within the West and Central African region.

In his remarks, the Beninois Chief of Naval Staff, Captain Jean Le’on Olatoundji, expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian Navy to refurbish their vessels, adding that he initiated the discussions when he was invited to the 66th anniversary of the navy in Lagos.

He said he saw how the vessels at the NDL were maintained and asked Nigeria s Chief of the Naval Staff how they were able to do it? 

Captain Olatoundji said he was pleased with the responses he got and so, he immediately asked the Nigerian CNS about the possibility of the NDL refurbishing his country’s warships and also training his personnel, which was granted.

He noted that the Nigerian Navy was presently, the major provider of assets and resources for the patrol of the MCC Zone E Block of the Gulf of Guinea, adding that once his ships were repaired, they would also be deployed to keep maritime criminals in check.

“The refurbishing will really impact Benin Navy. Benin Navy will be very operational and that will help us with the personnel  especially for everyone  concerned about the maritime domain. 

“I have said earlier that it (the partnership) was one of its kind. This project, if conducted rightfully to the end, will also impact the blue economy, maritime economy of the region,” he said.

Also, at the agreement signing was the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Saidu Tiggi and members of his entourage, the Defence Attachee and the Deputy Defence Attachee.

Source: thenationonlineng.net