Participants at the 2014 edition of the Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Conference have called for the repositioning of the Nigerian Navy for enhanced operational capacity and effective performance.
They made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of the five-day conference in Lokoja on Friday.
They urged the navy to set machinery in motion for the review of its transformation plan 2011-2020 to reflect the present realities of security challenges facing the country.
The communiqué, presented by Rear Admiral Amin Ikioda, Chief of Policy and Plans, the organisation should commence upgrading of its training infrastructure and incorporate simulator training with immediate
effect.
“The navy should design and introduce boat handling course for junior staff,” the communiqué said.
It also urged the leadership of the navy to push for direct fiscal allocation to its hydrographic school.
“The Nigeria Navy should canvass for the cost of capital assets to be funded by the first line charge from the consolidated revenue especially for major asset acquisition.
“The Nigerian Navy should strengthen the capacity of the dockyard and shipyard in line with global best practices for maximum benefit to the navy and the private sector”, the communiqué said.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, promised to look critically at all the resolutions with a view to developing modalities for
implementing them soonest.
He also said that the organisation will redouble its efforts at ensuring peace and security of the country.
Jibrin thanked the government and people of Kogi State for being a good host by providing environment conducive for the conference to hold successfully.
Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi urged the navy to implement the vital decisions taken at the conference.
Wada, represented by his deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, charged officers and men of the navy to show discipline and be more dedicated in their service to the nation this trying time.
The participants were drawn from the maritime sector, armed forces and other security agencies.
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