Navy deploys warships, helicopters to boost oil production in Niger-Delta

Port Harcourt—Committed to securing the maritime borders of the country, the Nigerian Navy has deployed 15 warships and three helicopters for this year’s Chief of Naval Staff sea exercise aimed at curbing maritime threats and improving security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The exercise will showcase the navy’s ability to protect the maritime environment for national economic prosperity as well as its preparedness to support existing domestic and regional maritime security initiatives.

This year’s Annual Sea Inspection is nicknamed exercise ‘DEIN ABAJI’ which means ‘Calm Waters’ in Kalabari language, an oil producing community in Rivers State.

Giving insight into the development at the flag off ceremony in Onne, Rivers State, yesterday, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, vowed to continue to intensify efforts that would ensure increased crude oil productions, stating that there was rise in oil productions.

Ogalla said, during the exercise, the navy would leverage cooperation of maritime stakeholders through information sharing in order to strengthen its collective capabilities of achieving national security objectives.

“I am confident that the exercise will positively impact on our readiness for combat operations and expose other maritime agencies to the benefits of interagency cooperation.”

He noted that the Nigerian Navy maritime security operations have recorded significant improvements in legitimate shipping activities due to reduction of crimes in Nigerian waters.

“There has also been a rise in oil production as several companies have reported 100 percent terminal factor. In collaboration with relevant agencies, we will continue to make efforts to ensure increased crude oil production.”

Ogalla commended President Bola Tinubu for his unflinching support to the Nigerian Navy, the Minister of Defence and Minister of State for Defence for their guidance and support to the Navy and also, applauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State for his support.