The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Nigerian Navy on Friday in Calabar got a new war ship called the NNS Centenary, which the Navy said is going to boost to its fleet and strengthen the navy to quell activities of sea pirates along the Calabar water channel and its environs.
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who was on ground to receive it at the NNS Victory jetty, said the ship which was the newest in the Navy fleet would help the command carry out its operation efficiently when need be.
Ibas stated that the ship is to further reinforce the strength and presence of the Navy in the Eastern flank of the country’s maritime domain adding that the ship was acquired to patrol the maritime domain of the Eastern Naval Command in order to keep the water safe from oil thieves and sea pirates.
“When we talk about maritime security you have to know that it goes with development. “Maritime security has a nexus with development. Nobody wants to do business in an insecure environment.
“As you are aware, the bulk of the resources that bring development come from the sea and the essence of the new ship, the newest in the fleet is to further reinforce our presence in the Eastern flank of the nation’s maritime space’’, Ibas added. The Chief of Naval Staff maintained that the ship has the capacity to carry helicopters and other vital instrument.
“The new ship is capable of staying on sea for two weeks. It is no longer going to be business as usual for the bad guys at sea.
“Those doing their businesses at sea would have confidence to go about their business at ease’’, he assured. He warned criminals operating along the Nigerians water ways to stay off, adding that the Navy was not friendly to such categories of persons.
The CNS in the company of the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Henry Babalola, later visited Governor Ben Ayade at the Governor’s office on a courtesy visit.
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