The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Nigerian Navy on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop and produce maritime platforms including vessels and defence weapons for the use of naval officers.
The MoU also covers other areas including research, development and training to enhance local content, technology transfer and reverse engineering of nautical equipment.
Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Mohammed Sani Haruna, said the collaboration will reduce capital flight and strengthen national development.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony which took place at the naval headquarters in Abuja, Haruna said, “The creativity and ingenuity of the present crop of Nigerian naval personnel was what attracted NASENI management to approach the leadership of the force for partnership. The relationship will develop facilities that could ease our work in local development of our infrastructures and reduce capital flight.
He said the Nigerian Navy would become fully active in developing their own ship, design and fabrication of components and spare parts.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy, working together with NASENI would strengthen the naval capacity and manpower to do more and to take ownership of the country’s infrastructural development.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo described the MoU as historic, saying it would strengthen inter-agency relationships for maritime development.
“The MoU will not end on paper but will ensure the utilization of mutual relationship between the two parties in research and development that could enhance development of Nigeria sustainability,” Gambo said.
Elaborating on the purpose of the MoU, the Chief of Naval Engineering, Rear Admiral Lawal said, “It is expected that in the nearest future, both parties would develop capacity in the area of oil and gas exploration and to establish a factory that will produce military equipment.
“The MoU will provide engineering training facilities and skill acquisition enhancement to support the Nigerian Navy. It will provide engineering, research and development training and capacity development to the Nigerian Navy personnel and support other activities incidental to engineering services, research and development in the Nigerian Navy for the overall development of Nigerian maritime industry.”
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