TheCable

President Buhari will inaugurate a made-in-Nigeria seaward defence boat in December 2021.

Awwal Gambo, chief of naval staff, said his visit to the presidential villa, on Sunday, was to officially invite the president to launch the indigenously built boat.

The boat is one of three being built by the Nigerian navy dockyard staff in Lagos.

The naval chief said the boat “will add to the set of vessels that we have for the protection of the Nigerian maritime territory against piracy, sea robbery, illegal bunkering and all other maritime crimes”.

Responding, President Buhari said completing the boat is an achievement the nation should be proud of.

“It prides us as a nation that we can build something from the scratch to finish, by our own shipyard. So, it is a thing of pride to us,” the president said.

Gambo who declined to mention the cost of building the boat said it is cost-effective.

“It is unlike when you get foreign vendors to build or to supply the ship. It’s saving a lot for the country and going forward, we are looking at doing more of that within the shortest possible time,” he said

The naval chief said other countries have indicated interest to partner with Nigeria in building and maintaining ships.

“We have the Democratic Republic of Congo, they are ready and willing to partner with us in shipbuilding and maintenance,” he said.

“We have Badagry shipyard that wants to build a shipyard in Badagry. They are also ready to partner with us in maintenance and construction and most of the countries in the West Coast are definitely going to patronise us.”