For the first time in the history of the Nigerian Navy, twenty five security boats, locally built by Epenal Group of Companies, were inaugurated at once.
The inauguration took place at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The Managing Director of Epenal Group of Companies, Mr. Numo Aaron, disclosed that his firm was the largest employer of labour, in terms of building boats in Nigeria.
Aaron noted that the impressive performance of Epenal group had proved that high quality boats could be manufactured in the country, with many Nigerians already employed by the indigenous company and more about being engaged.
The Epenal Group chief also stated that it was in the best interest of Nigeria to encourage local ship manufacturers, for the creation of more jobs and capacity.
The launch was attended by the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, and the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir.
The Commander of the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, and the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, among other eminent personalities, were also in attendance.
Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, in his goodwill message, lauded the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari for the measures taken so far to improve the operational capacity of the military.
Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also commended the naval high command for taking concrete measures to stem the theft of crude oil in the Niger Delta by strengthening the security architecture of the waterways.
The Rivers governor promised that his government would provide logistic support to the Nigerian navy in the operation of the 25 Epenal boats, stressing that security in the waterways would help in the acceleration of development in the Niger Delta.
He noted that the local construction of the Epenal boats had helped in the creation of jobs in the country and the improvement of the capacity of Nigerian ship manufacturers.
Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, said: “The Rivers State Government is happy with the Naval High Command for deploying these boats in this region. It will help in reducing (crude) oil theft. This will in-turn have a positive impact on our economy.
“The boats will also check violent crimes in the creeks and improve the standard of living of our people. The Rivers State Government will provide logistic support in the operation of the boats.”
Rivers governor also assured that his administration would always cooperate with the armed forces on security matters.
The warrant of arrest issued by a Federal High Court in Lagos and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, declaring wanted an ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, over corruption allegations, made the Niger Delta militants to issue threats that they would resume hostilities in the crude oil and gas-rich region.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, however, declared that no individual would take on Nigeria and get away with it.
He stressed that nobody could be bigger that the country, while maintaining that any attack by militants/other criminals would be an attack on Nigerians and would not be taken lightly.
Ibas, in his welcome address, disclosed that the launch of 25 Epenal boats was the first time in the history of the Nigerian navy that such number of patrol boats would be inaugurated at once, noting that when the fact of the boats’ local origin was factored in, then the event truly deserved to be considered a historic milestone.
The CNS said: “The decision of the Nigerian Navy into this adventure (patronising local boats) could be considered circumstantial. Confronted with mounting operational challenges, in the face of progressively dwindling economy, the Nigerian Navy explored cost-saving options, which included embarking on local construction of the patrol boats. For immediate appreciation, the cost of production of a unit of the boat is less than half the cost of producing similar boats from overseas.
“The contributions of the 25 launched boats are ultimately expected to enhance Nigerian Navy’s capability at carrying out its statutory roles and strengthen the fight to prop up zero tolerance to crude oil theft and other maritime illegalities, in line with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s aspiration.”
Ibas also stated that the delivery of the 50 more security patrol boats from Epenal group of companies would ensure that the nation’s backwaters were saturated with patrol boats for improved security of the maritime domain, with the regime of sea robbery, crude oil theft and other maritime illegalities within the creeks to be met with stiff opposition from the navy, while efforts were ongoing towards acquiring more patrol vessels for littoral waters.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, also declared that any threat by Niger Delta militants or other criminals would be met with appropriate military action, with the troops already directed to be on alert.
Olonisakin said: “In defence, we are up and doing and we want to warn them (Niger Delta militants and other criminals) and tell them that the defence will not take it (threat) lightly.
“Any threat will be met with appropriate military action. We have directed all our troops to be on alert and ensure criminals and vandals are brought to book.”
The CDS also disclosed that Epenal Boatyard was contracted in 2015 to construct thirty 8.2m boats, fitted with two 250 horsepower Yamaha outboard engines and mountings for 12.7 mm and AGL guns, revealing that five of the 30 boats were delivered to the Central Naval Command in December 2015 and deployed for patrol duties during the governorship election in Bayelsa State.
He disclosed that the Nigerian navy had awarded another contract for additional 50 Epenal boats, with anti-ballistic protection and other capabilities, as improvement on the ones inaugurated.
Olonisakin said: “Today, our nation is challenged by multi-faceted threats with grave manifestations, especially in the Northeast and the maritime environment, where the Nigerian Navy is the lead security agency. These challenges will require enormous material resources to surmount.
“Accordingly, in line with the strategic vision of President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (Muhammadu Buhari) and in spirited response to the current economic challenges being faced by the nation, the Nigerian Navy’s decision to look inward by contracting local ship building vendors for the provision of some of its defence articles is highly commendable.
“This decision has not only helped conserve the much-needed foreign exchange, especially at this period of serious economic downturn, but has afforded the indigenous manufacturers opportunity to prove themselves and garner experience. It is gratifying to note that Epenal Shipyard has risen to this challenge and lived up to the task, by meeting some of the needs of the Nigerian Navy.”
The CDS also stated that giving Epenal group 50 more boats to build was an indication that the Nigerian navy was truly looking inwards for the development of local content, in the face of dwindling economic fortune and foreign exchange reserve.
He stressed that the initiative was in keeping with the change agenda of the current government of President Buhari, whom he said had directed the services to strive to be self-sufficient or at most endeavour to source locally.
Olonisakin stated that he was personally grateful to all the persons that contributed to the actualisation of the great accomplishment, noting that by their efforts, the maritime landscape of Nigeria was gradually being accorded the much-needed security enhancement for peace and prosperity, hoping that the launched boats would be most professionally committed and put to the best rewarding use.
With emphasis being played on local content development by the administration of President Buhari, especially by patronising indigenous companies like Epenal group, there is hope for employment opportunities and capacity building of Nigerians, particularly the youths.
If the Niger Delta militants, however, resume hostilities as they threatened and are confronted by the military, it is very obvious that the employment and empowerment of the youths will be drastically affected, since there cannot be development without peace.
