The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has commissioned a naval base as well as a Nigerian Navy Barracks at Banda area of Lokoja, Kogi State to boost its operations.
The Chief of Naval Staff was joined by the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello for the inauguration of the Naval Base named Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard (NNS Lugard) as well as a barracks built for its personnel in the area.
Speaking on Friday at the event, Ibas said the commissioning ceremony was significant as it would boost the capacity of the Nigerian Navy to support safe and unhindered activities across the nation’s maritime domain.
He said following the Federal Government’s initiative to dredge the River Niger and the planned establishment of inland ports at Baro, Lokoja and Onitsha, the need for the presence of the Nigerian Navy in the area to booster security along the waterways of the River Niger became expedient.
The base, according to him, was envisaged as a naval cantonment with plans to host administrative and operational formations, barracks, schools, medical centres and other support units in the near future.
He said the barracks project which consists of 95 housing units of various types, was to accommodate officers, ratings (junior personnel) and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy.
Ibas mentioned other aspects of the barracks project to include 1.856km access and link roads; electrification, water supply, car parks and recreational areas.
Governor Yahaya Bello in his keynote address, commended the Nigerian Navy for its efforts in supporting internal security in the state in addition to ensuring security on the maritime corridor.
He said the state government would continue to give the needed supports to the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies in the state to enable them discharge their statutory duties.
Minister of Defense who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Naratu Batagarawa, in a goodwill message, said the commissioning ceremony aligns with the Federal Government’s resolve to secure and boost maritime activities along the waterways of River Niger.
She said following the commissioning of the Baro Port and progress on the second Niger Bridge, the entrenchment of Naval Base presence in Banda, Lokoja, would provide the needed impetus for maritime activities to thrive unhindered.
