PRESIDENT of the Senate, David Mark has canvassed a more sustained procurement of modern platforms for the Nigerian Navy for the nation's security and economic prosperity.
The call came as President Goodluck Jonathan approved the procurement of two new 1,800 tonnes Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Navy.
Mark said that the nation must always ensure the attainment of a virile maritime security as it relied on the maritime environment for its economic survival and prosperity.
Nigeria derives 90 per cent of its foreign exchange from oil and gas with their major installations within the nation's Economic Exclusive Zone in the Gulf of Guinea.
Mark who spoke at a seminar on the economics of Maritime Defence and National Prosperity in Abuja said that the period of military rule witnessed a downward era in the fortunes of the Navy such that until now, it was not able to carry its roles effectively.
He described the situation as "not good for Nigeria's image as a regional maritime power."
Mark lamented that "Nigeria's multi-billion dollar offshore investments like the Bonga and Agbami oil exploration and exploitation projects had remained inadequately protected by the Navy.
"This is certainly not good for the image of Nigeria as a sovereign nation. We cannot afford to continue to turn blind eyes to the plight of the Nigerian Navy because by doing so, we would be seriously undermining our national security and the economic prosperity of our dear nation.
He continued: "This is the time to tell ourselves the truth that we either take urgent steps to protect the vast maritime domain and the rich natural resources therein or risk losing them to foreign interests and bandits.
"If we choose the latter option, then, we must be prepared to bear the unpleasant consequences of toying with our collective destiny."
Mark, represented by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Ayogu Eze, therefore, pledged that "the National Assembly will do all that is constitutionally and morally right to ensure the improvement of the Nigerian Navy and related maritime agencies.
"However, given the capital intensive nature of naval operations and the dwindling national resources, there may be the need to explore other funding options to complement budgetary funding of the Navy."
But Mark expressed appreciation that in the last few years, the re-equipment of the Navy had begun and commended President Jonathan over the recent approval of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV).
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim voiced concern that emerging maritime security challenges were on the rise and "assuming unprecedented sophistication and dimension."
He listed the challenges to include piracy, pipeline vandalisation, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, militancy and threats of terrorists attacks.
Ibrahim, therefore, called for urgent repositioning of the Navy to enable her "rise to the occasion and nip the existing and emerging threats in the bud before they assume catastrophic dimensions with huge attendant costs in human and material losses."
Meanwhile, President Jonathan will next week launch a 31-metre Seaward Defence Boat constructed locally by the Nigerian Navy. He will also lay the Keel of a Second Seaward Defence Boat that is to built soon.
Similarly, the Navy will receive nearly two dozen new acquisitions under the 2012 defence budget. They include the order placed for three 24-metre SHALDAG Inshore Patrol Craft.
The Navy has also entered into partnership with OCEA boats of France for the procurement of three 24-metre Fast Patrol Boats.
The Guardian