By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has performed the launching ceremony for the newly built first Nigerian Navy (NN), 2 x 76m, 1200 Tons High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels (HE OPVs), at the Dearsan Shipyard, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
Director of Information, Commodore AO Ayo-Vaughan, in a statement, recalled that the NN signed a contract with Dearsan Shipyard, Turkey for the construction of two units of 76m HE OPV on 3 November 2021 and the Keel Laying Ceremony of the two ships which signified the commencement of their construction took place on 16 September 2022.
Speaking at the colourful ceremony in Turkey, the CNS noted that the launching ceremony of the first HE OPV P203 marks yet another important milestone in their construction, having progressed significantly through a very well-planned and executed design and construction process.
Vice Admiral Ogalla said: “Launching of a naval ship is an age-long tradition which signifies the birth of the ship. Today’s ceremony is, therefore, a solemn one in which the ship is dedicated and committed to the sea, while also praying for blessings of good fortune for the ship, its crew and its passengers”.
The CNS averred that these ships when fully completed and commissioned into
The service of the NN, would complement and further sustain the efforts of the fleet in ensuring naval presence at sea.
This, he said, would help to curb the menace of oil theft and other illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime environment in particular and the Gulf of Guinea in general.
The OPV, Vice Admiral Ogalla, added would assist the NN in managing Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including the provision of maritime security of areas and effective disaster relief.
The CNS also used the opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support of the project and commitment to the recapitalization of the NN Fleet.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to its obligations towards the successful completion of the two OPVs.
Vice Admiral Ogalla also appreciated the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, the Nigerian Defence Adviser to Ankara, Dearsan Shipyard, the Nigerian Navy Project Control Team resident
in Turkey and other guests for their various positive contributions towards making the project and launching ceremony a reality and success.
“Relatively, following this giant step of the launching ceremony of the first 76m HE OPV P203, it is expected that all the ship’s installations will be fixed, connected and worked between January – May 2024. Other expectations include conducting harbour acceptance tests for the ship between July – August 2024 and delivery of the ship in August or September 2024. It is also planned that the launching ceremony of the second 76m HE OPVP 204 will be held in February 2024 at the Dearsan Shipyard, Turkey. Pertinently, this occasion of the launching ceremony of HE OPV P203 further buttress the resolve of the Dearsan Shipyard in ensuring timely delivery of the two HE OPVs to NN and sustaining the mutually beneficial cooperation between the Governments of Nigeria and Turkey,” the statement concluded.
