The Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, has charged his men to work hard to improve the economic posterity of the country.
Gambo stated that with the reliance of the country on crude oil, officers should do all within their means to prevent the maritime environment from economic saboteurs.
He spoke at the retreat with principal officers and commanding officers on Monday in Abuja.
Gambo said, “Notably, the Nigerian Navy is the tireless and vigilant custodian of the nation’s maritime security interest. It is statutorily empowered to provide security to the vast oil and gas industry in the nation’s waters as well as our strategic lines of communications.
“Given our present high dependence on oil and gas revenue, the Nigerian Navy is undeniably a major contributor to the economic mainstay of Nigeria.
” Accordingly, for us as leaders, we must deem it a worthwhile obligation to do all that is necessary in securing the nation’s economic prosperity, within the context of the prevailing national political economy and enhancing our security as a maritime force.”
He also said despite the huge expectation on his men, poor funding had been the albatross of the Nigerian Navy.
Gambo added, “This challenge calls for prudence, innovativeness and accountability by the top echelons of the Nigerian Navy. I believe it will again be necessary for this Retreat to try to resolve this albatross of the Nigerian Navy having to make do with limited funding in the face of rising challenges. “
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
