The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Nigerian Navy (NN) Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo on Monday said that the newly acquired Hydrographic Ship, NNS LANA would be a revenue generating asset for the country.
Gambo said this on the occasion of the reception of NNS LANA which held at NNS BEECROFT Jetty/Parade Ground, Apapa, Lagos State.
He said that the ship just completed it’s maiden voyage from France to Nigeria and that it would be welcomed to the Nigerian Navy inventory.
The CNS said that the ship would be deployed in Nigeria waters and anywhere her services was required inorder to boost hydrographic efforts within the Nigerian maritime space.
“Where we get patronage from the Gulf of Guinea and other parties as may be, we will render services at a cost.
“So, she is a revenue generation asset for the country and the Nigeria Navy and other maritime agencies,” he said.
Gambo said that the Nigerian Hydrogropher had been given approval to produce navigation charts for the country and the country’s in west and central Africa.
“Therefore, people such as maritime stakeholders will now have to pay for such charts inorder to procure them for their safe navigation.
“The induction of NNS LANA will enhance the capacity of the service to conduct Hydrographic survey and provide charting service for safe navigation as well as delivery for maritime security.
“The ship will soon join other NN ships at seas to contribute to Nigerian Navy’s efforts in the defence of the nation’s maritime environment,” he said.
The CNS said that the federal government of Nigeria had embraced the blue economy initiative inline with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal-14 agenda.
“The agenda entails the sustainable exploration and exploitation of vast resources in the nation’s maritime environment.
“The provision of quality hydrographic services is key to the development of the various sectors of the blue economy.
“Therefore, the acquisition of this survey vessel is an affirmation of the federal government of Nigeria’s commitment towards the nation’s economic development,” he said.
Gambo said that the Nigerian Navy would collaborate with other maritime stakeholders to actualise the country’s vision of developing a sustainable economy that would contribute to the nation’s socio-economic prosperity.
“I thank the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr Muhammadu Buhari for his enormous support to the Nigerian Navy’s recapitalisation effort.
“I am indeed grateful to the almighty God for granting the ship and her crew safe passage,” he said.