The Nigerian Navy has contracted a local firm, Epenal to manufacture patrol and gun boats to assist the agency effectively man the nation's water way especially in the wake of renewed hostility in the Niger Delta region. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas made the disclosure on Tuesday in Calabar, the Cross River state capital. He hinted that the Navy recently took delivery of 16 such boats adding that the boats were among the 20 that were recently commissioned in Delta state.
The CNS explained that the essence of partnering with local firms was to create employment for Nigerians while also saving the nation huge foreign exchange. “Most nations are able to take their destinies into their hands and anation like North Korea can stand up to a nation like the United States just because they have the capability and technologies that an threaten not only their enemies."
“Nigeria over the years has made attempts to improve its technological capacities and capabilities. We have an indigenous company which can make a positive impact in the operations of the navy. I think we have subscribed to over 150 of the boats. They are not enough but they have helped to solve the problems that we have now."
“The cost of course it cost Nigerian taxpayers a lot. It’s a far cry from if we were to purchase it from outside but we have saved a lot of foreign exchange for the nation. By purchasing the boats locally, we have saved a lot of employment for the teeming youths of the nation. These are some of the reasons we are ready to support that indigenous company”, he added.
