In a significant step towards bolstering food security and strengthening inter-agency collaboration, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ei Ogalla, has handed over six Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) Riverine Boats today.
The boats, manufactured by Naval Dockyard Limited, were commissioned for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Amidst a gathering of dignitaries and officials from both the Navy and the Ministry, Vice Admiral Ogalla expressed his immense pleasure in presenting the GRP Riverine Boats, highlighting their vital role in reaching out to remote riverine communities.
The communities are essential pillars of Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, and the boats will play a crucial role in monitoring and supporting agricultural activities.
According to Ogalla, “this is predicated on the NN’s constitution mandate to assist other agencies of government, particularly the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to enforce fishery laws.
Similarly, the Nigerian Navy synergizes with the Ministry in curbing national security threats such as the activities of Illegal Unreported Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) within the maritime domain. In this regard, the construction of these boats for the Ministry is reflective of the collaboration between both institutions in consonance with the NN mandates.”
The event marked a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between the Nigerian Navy and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Vice Admiral Ogalla recalled the history of collaboration between the two institutions, which began with joint patrols to enforce fishery and environmental protection laws. This history of shared interests and values has culminated in the construction of these boats, solidifying the commitment to food and environmental security in Nigeria.
The Chief of the Naval Staff emphasized that the creation of these boats showcases not only the cooperative spirit between government entities but also the strides made by the Nigerian Navy and Naval Dockyard Limited in fostering indigenous ship design and construction, promoting local content, and enhancing self-reliance in the maritime sector.
“In similar vein, the manufacture of the boats represents the initial strides of the Nigerian Navy and the Naval Dockyard Limited in particular in developing indigenous ship design and construction as well as local content towards promoting self-reliance in the maritime sector.
“To this end, the 6 x GRP Boats is part of the first steps the Nigerian Navy made towards indigenizing ship construction and maintenance, typifying a transformation that has led to building naval vessels, local capacity and self-reliance in the country.
“It is noteworthy that the boats were conceptualized, designed and built to suit the requirements of the Ministry as well as the environment in which they are to operate. Hence, the vessels are primarily tailored to effectively serve the Ministry’s needs in reaching the coastal maritime communities, providing the requisite support and assistance towards boosting agricultural and food production in Nigeria,” he said.
These GRP boats are the initial steps towards building a self-reliant naval vessel construction industry within Nigeria. Crafted with precision to meet the Ministry of Agriculture’s specific needs and the unique demands of the coastal environment, these boats are poised to make a lasting impact on coastal communities. They will enable the Ministry to provide much-needed support to local farmers, enhancing agricultural productivity and ultimately advancing food security.
Vice Admiral Ogalla concluded by underscoring the significance of collaboration between government agencies in realizing broader societal goals.
He urged other ministries to draw inspiration from the fruitful partnership between the Navy and the Ministry of Agriculture, fostering synergy that contributes to national security and prosperity.
He added, “Finally, this occasion is particularly symbolic as it underscores the strength and importance of collaboration between government agencies, in this case, the Ministry of Defence and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in implementing policies and programmes of the central government to ensure the overall prosperity of society.
“Hence, the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Navy and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture could be imbibed, emulated and nurtured, enabling the agencies of government to work together seamlessly towards enhancing national security in Nigeria.
“I therefore assure the Honorable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as other ministries of the Nigerian Navy’s commitment and willingness to partner with relevant institutions to provide services for the collective good of the Nigerian society.”
The ceremony closed with gratitude extended to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for recognizing the Nigerian Navy as a worthy partner in building a secure and prosperous Nigeria.