This is as the Nigerian Navy vowed to tackle oil theft and illicit smuggling of arms into the country with offshore vessels.
The PUNCH reports that the first OPV built by DEARSAN Shipyard was launched on October 26, 2023.
A statement by the Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu stated that the launch of the vessel would help safeguard the country’s waters.
The statement partly read, “In accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Her Excellency, the First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON launched the second 76meter High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessel built for the Nigerian Navy in DEARSAN Shipyard Turkey, today Friday 19 April 2024.
“The launch of the 76meter HE – OPV marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding her territorial waters and combating maritime threats.”
Adams-Aliu stated that the Chief of Naval Staff said the construction of the 2 x OPVs commenced in 2022.
“DEARSAN Shipyard is constructing 2 OPVs for the NN and the first OPV was launched here on 26 October 2023. I am particularly pleased that the milestones on the vessel construction have been met and I hereby appreciate the management of DEARSAN Shipyard for their efforts so far. The general specifications of the newly launched OPV are as follows: Length – 76.90m Width – 11.90m; Draught – 3.60m; Speed – 28knots; Propulsion System – Combined Diesel and Diesel; Range – 2500nm; Endurance – 16 days and Crew Capacity – 47, ” the statement added.
According to the statement, Ogalla also said the vessel would help curb illicit smuggling of arms into the country among others.
He said, “The construction of the vessel will boost NN fleet renewal efforts for fulfilment of her constitutional mandate and ensure maximum presence at sea to curb illicit acts such as oil theft, piracy, sea robbery, illegal fishery as well as smuggling of Small Arms and Light Weapons among other crimes in the vast 84,000sqnm of Nigeria’s maritime environment.
“It will also facilitate harnessing the enormous potential within Nigeria’s maritime domain in support of FG’s Blue Economy initiatives. “
