Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians of sustainability of his tempo by the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Buhari, who stated this while speaking at the Presidential Fleet Review, 2023, on Monday at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos, reiterated that the President-elect would continue to maintain good relationship his government had with the Nigerian Navy by providing the necessary support as and when due.
Buhari said: “I have no doubt that the incoming administration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will sustain the current tempo of my administration in giving the Navy necessary support to effectively carry out its assigned tasks.”
Buhari expressed satisfaction with impressive combat displays by the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service, together with the combination of assets from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force.
He said: “I expect this to translate into the actual capability to dominate Nigeria’s maritime environment and secure the vast resources therein for the socio-economic development of our great country.”
Buhari also listed the acquisition of 20 capital ships for the Navy, which comprises offshore patrol vessels, landing ship transports, hydrographic survey vessels, seaward defence boats, helicopters, as well as over 300 inshore patrol vessels and assault craft, in seven years of his administration’s efforts to recapitalize the Navy Fleet.
Buhari however, believed that the Navy would continue to sustain new asset under Tinubu’s leadership, by expanding shipbuilding for export purposes promotion of indigenous production and intensifying the fight against piracy, while assured that the incoming government will also address issues pertaining to crude oil theft in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
However, Buhari expressed hope that under Tinubu’s leadership, the Navy would continue to acquire new assets, expand shipbuilding for export purposes, promote indigenous production, intensify the fight against piracy, and address issues pertaining to crude oil theft in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He said: “My best wishes to our Navy for protecting our maritime domain and the economic prosperity of Nigeria. As I leave office on May 29, I wish you all fair winds. Onward together and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”