March 3, 2024
Plans have been concluded for the Nigerian Navy (NN) to refurbish six warships belonging to the 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.
-agency report
