The Federal Government on Friday said the renewed fight by the Nigeria Navy was partly responsible for the current rise in crude oil production in the country.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle lauded the navy during the inauguration of Chief of Naval Staff Annual Sea Inspection exercise codenamed ‘Exercise Nchekwa Oshimiri 2023’ in Onne, Rivers.
He said that regular patrols of the nation’s waters and several special exercises, such as Exercise Nchekwa Oshimiri (security of the waters) enabled the navy to reduce oil theft.
“I am aware of other operations and robust efforts through patrols and surveillance that is aimed for economic prosperity and national development.
“These activities have led to the drastic reduction of maritime crimes leading to improved economic activities.
“Crude oil production has increased in recent times, which is a testament of the effectiveness of the navy operations,” he said.
He said the navy was able to record the successes in its recent operations due to the unflinching support of President Bola Tinubu to the military.
“Exercise Nchekwa Oshimiri is one of the several Nigeria Navy efforts at ensuring that the maritime domain is safe for commerce and economic activities for national prosperity.
“The operational activities of the navy within the last months under the leadership of the current Chief of Naval Staff has recorded varying degrees of success.
“This exercise will further bolster the existing operations towards enhancing security in our waters,” he added.
Matawalle said the Federal Government through his ministry would provide maximum support to the navy to enable it carryout its mandate.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla said the four-day sea inspection was an annual exercise that assessed the operational capabilities of the navy fleet.
According to him, the exercise will feature 13 warships, 88 gunboats, two helicopters and two detachments of the navy’s Special Boat Service, equivalent to United States Navy Seals.
“So, we are assessing the operational state and readiness of our fleet to enable us to counter emerging maritime security threats in line with our constitutional mandate.
“It is necessary for the Nigeria Navy to fully prepare in all respect to support existing domestic and regional maritime security initiatives of the Federal Government.
“Hence, this exercise is designed to improve cooperation and intelligence sharing toward enhancing the collective capabilities of maritime stakeholders against maritime crimes,” he said.
The navy chief said the inspection would take place in the nation’s maritime environment as well as the Gulf of Guinea – a major sea lane for commerce and communication.
Ogalla e said the navy was determined to sustain the tempo that gave rise to crude oil production and expressed optimism the nation would soon attain and surpass her daily production quota.
“It is also noteworthy that the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reports have delisted Nigeria from the IMB List of piracy prone nations.
“Also, reports from other regional maritime awareness centres have also indicated improvements in legitimate shipping activities due to reduction in crime rate in Nigeria’s waters,” he said.
On his part, Rear Adm. Olusola Oluwagbire, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command (ENC), said that 4,000 naval personnel would participate in the operation.
The FOC said the navy would also deploy four maritime domain awareness facilities; four operational bases, two support units and four platforms belonging to stakeholders in the maritime sector.
Other dignitaries at the event are the Deputy Gov. of Rivers, Prof. Ngozi Odu and commanders of various navy, army, air force formations.