The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated the first purpose-built hydrological survey vessel at Les Sables d’Olonne, France.
The vessel is scheduled to join the Nigerian Navy fleet in 2021 and enhance maritime safety in the Nigerian water and the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking at the ceremony at the OCEA shipyard, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, represented by Rear Admiral Abraham Adaji, disclosed that the new vessel was conceived as a replacement for the Nigerian Navy survey vessel, NNS LANA, which was decommissioned about 10 years ago.
According to a statement by the Navy spokesman, Commodore Suleman Dahun, the Chief of Naval Staff said the ceremony marked a giant stride in the efforts towards actualising the dreams of not only restoring but enhancing the Nigerian Navy’s survey capability.
He also emphasized that surveying and charting play a crucial role in ensuring safe navigation as well as delivery of maritime security, especially in the Gulf of Guinea.
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The CNS thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his “unflinching support to the recapitalisation of the Nigerian Navy fleet.”
Mr Fabrice Weinbach, who represented the Chief Executive Officer of OCEA, Mr Roland Joassard, said the LANA was the result of the excellent cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and the OCEA teams.
He remarked that the new ship demonstrated the willingness of Nigeria to improve the knowledge of the country’s waters with a sea-proven platform and up-to-date equipment.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Mrs Modupe Irele, described the ceremony as a manifestation of the cordial relations between both countries.
