Plans have been concluded for the Nigerian Navy to refurbish six warships belonging to the Benin Republic Navy (BRN) for improved security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The agreement for the repairs, which would be done at the Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL) in Victoria Island, Lagos, was signed on Thursday afternoon at the Naval Headquarters of BRN in Cotonou.
Speaking after the historic event, the Admiral Superintendent of NDL, Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, said the warships include BNS PENDJARI, BNS OUEME, BNS ALIBORI, BNS ZOU, BNS MATELOT BRICE KPOMASSE and BNS COUFFFO.
He said the vessels departed Cotonou at the weekend for Lagos, adding that the repairs period would be 10 months.
The NDL boss said the naval dockyard is a strategic national asset and a force multiplier that caters to the defence and maritime needs in the construction, maintenance and repair of naval platforms.
According to him, the historic partnership with Benin Republic Navy would not only lead to the strengthening of that country’s navy but also enhance security of the Gulf of Guinea waters.
“Today is a historic day in the history of the Nigerian Navy and Benin Republic Navy. It is a very important occasion because this is indicative of talks about regional cooperation among navies of the region. It talks about enhancing operational efficiencies among the navies of the region and it also talks about enhancing friendships and cooperation among the navies of the region.
“The Naval Dockyard will be playing a key role in the execution of this contract, all arrangements have been put in place for the project. Some of the ships will go to Nigeria on their own steam, as in, they will sail to Nigeria and some will have to be brought to Nigeria by some other means and then all the repairs will take place at the Naval Dockyard.
“It is worthy of note that the Naval Dockyard stands proudly as a strategic national asset of Nigeria and a force multiplier to cater for the defence and maritime needs in the construction, maintenance and repair of naval platforms.
“The yard also extends these services to the larger maritime/merchant community to promote and sustain Nigeria’s maritime sector towards enhancing national security,” he said.
In his remarks, the Beninois Chief of Naval Staff, Captain Jean Le’on Olatoundji, expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian Navy to refurbish his country’s warships, adding that he initiated the discussions when he was invited to the 66th anniversary of the navy in Lagos.
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