The Nigerian Navy is to establish a new naval base at the Ibeno axis of Akwa Ibom State, a development to further boost safety of maritime infrastructure in the State.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, disclosed this during a courtesy visit on Governor Umo Eno in Uyo on his tour of Naval formations in the state as part of his operational visit to the Eastern Naval Command.
The Chief of Naval Staff, recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said he has been briefed on the proposed base in Ibeno and will work towards its actualisation to boost the fight against maritime criminality
While noting that security is everybody’s business, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas stated that the Navy is open to continuous collaborations with the state to protect critical national assets.
“Akwa Ibom is critical to the nation as most of the critical national assets are in the State.
“We are open to continuous collaborations with the state to protect critical national assets.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility and we we need more support from the State.
“I was briefed of the base being proposed in the State. If we have an LOP, outpost or a base in Ibeno, we will appreciate”, Admiral Abbas said.
Governor Eno, responding congratulated the Chief of Naval Staff on his appointment, noting that it came at a time where there was need to intensify efforts to protect maritime assets across the country.
He appreciated the supportive role of the Nigerian Navy, and asked for more collaborations.
The Governor said he is ready to issue a certificate of occupancy to ensure the establishment of the base in Ibeno.
“One of the major contracts we signed some months ago, was the construction of a passenger ferry by the Nigerian Navy for our Marine Jetty and other facilities in Oron.
“In my administration, we take security very seriously and that is why we created the Ministry of Internal Security headed by retired General Koko Essien.
Governor Eno thanked all security agencies for their collaborative role in maintaining peace in the State, assured that he was favourably disposed to working with them to expand the frontiers of peace in the State.
“We run an all -inclusive government where women, youths, retired military officers, all play major roles.
