Reps seeks better funding for Nigerian Navy

The House of Representatives on Friday has said that it will consider better budgetary provision for the Navy in the 2017 Appropriation Bill.

Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Adbulsamad Dasuki, made the disclosure when he led other committee members on oversight function at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, in Port Harcourt.

Dasuki said that the Navy lacked needed hardware to enable it fight effectively current attacks on oil and gas installations; piracy and other criminal activities on the waterways.

“We started our oversight function from Calabar, and now in NNS Pathfinder in Port Harcourt to see for ourselves what is on ground, what has been done and what is expected.

“We have seen what has been achieved in the fight against crude oil theft and piracy with focus to addressing challenges faced by naval personnel in the discharge of their duties.

“From what we have seen, virtually everything in the Navy is inadequate, especially in the areas of welfare and operations.

“A lot is expected from government with regards to better funding, and so, we will go back and see how we can consider better budgetary provision for the Navy in 2017 Appropriation Bill,” he said.

Dasuki observed that current shortage of funds experienced in the country might become an impediment for improved funding for the Navy in the coming year.

He said this informed why the committee was collaborating with the Navy to seek other avenues to generate revenue to fund its operations.

The committee chairman said that one of such ways was the creation of a maritime transport route covering the about 5,000 creeks in the Niger Delta.

“This maritime transportation initiative will generate funds for government with a percentage from it going to the Nigerian Navy,” he said.

Dasuki thanked the Navy for its improved operations and assured of the committee’s support in its fight against oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and piracy on the waterways.