Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Chinese government is set to provide a 46-meter patrol boat to the Nigerian Navy by October 2022, which will be deployed to increase security patrols against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, GoG.
Rear Admiral Yakubu Wambai, the Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Western Naval Command, disclosed this to the media in his office at the Command’s headquarters in Apapa while receiving Colonel Lin Wei, Defence Attache of the People’s Republic of China.
He highlighted that the Navy makes every effort to maintain a secure marine environment for the benefit of all ships at sea and, by extension, global trade, not only those owned by Nigerians.
According to the FOC: “What we are doing is protecting humanity; we are not just defending Nigerian ships; we are defending any ship that is traveling through the maritime Zone. So, what we do, once the place is safe and secure, it means that legal business is in the maritime domain and continue unabated without fear of hindrance by miscreants in the name of piracy”
Wambai also stated that the visit signified strength of friendship both countries and how well they perceive Navy’s efforts in the fight against piracy within the region.
“The Navy had acquired some operational vessels from China, which are still being deployed for patrol operations against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, according to him, making the friendship between the two nations all the more extraordinary”
“The partnership between Nigeria and China has advanced significantly, he said. Recall that two of our ships, the NNS Unity and Centenary, were built in China and are currently serving in the Nigerian Navy, where they are excelling in the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea”
“The Defense attache has been in to work on the details of how we will receive a 46-meter boat that has been donated to us by the Chinese government. Today marks the beginning of this partnership moving ahead”
“This demonstrates how much we continue to believe in all we have been doing. This symbolizes a friendly gesture that has always been there for us.
Admiral Wambai thanked the Chinese government for the kind gesture and added, “We as a Navy will continue to appreciate this kind of good gesture as that is what makes us to function appropriately; out there at sea, that has made Nigerian waters to be safe and that has made Nigeria to be delisted from the list of piracy-prone states.”
He continued: “The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, would definitely continue to support positive collaborations from friendly Nations, just as he values and appreciates the already existing one.
In his own words: “I would want to express my gratitude to the Chinese Government for this gesture on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff. All of you will be present when the vessel arrives in October because there will be a formal ceremony to thank China’s government for helping Nigeria maintain the security and safety of our water”.
The People’s Republic of China’s Defence Attache, on his part, told Newsmen that he was happy to visit the Navy as they try to maintain a cordial relationship.
“It is a joy to be here at the Western Naval Headquarters of the Nigerian Navy. It is for a relationship update with a view to the future. I believe that the relationships between the two Nations will improve,” Lin remarked.