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By Philip Nwosu and Vivian Onyebukwa
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, yesterday, announced that the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has removed Nigeria from the list of war risk countries.
He said tagging Nigeria among war risk countries had resulted in high insurance premiums on ships coming into the country’s waters.
Gambo, however, said de-listing Nigeria from the list, has seen massive reduction in insurance premium from $5,000 to $960 per shipment.
Gambo, spoke during the inauguration of newly constructed girls hostel at Nigerian Navy Secondary School (NNSS) Ojo, hostel accommodation for ratings, renovated diving wing at Under Water Warfare School (UWWS) and blocks of 8×3 bedroom flats at Officers Quarters, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.
The Naval Chief also commissioned, a 250 metres runway at Naval Air Base, Ojo and blocks of office complex at the Naval Doctrine and Assessment Command.
He said: “It will be recalled that sustained and aggressive patrols within the maritime domain, significantly reduced piracy and other maritime crimes, which culminated in de-listing Nigeria from the International Maritime Bureau list of piracy prone countries in March last year. This has led to the lifting of the war risk premium tag on Nigeria that reduced high insurance premium for ships in Nigerian-controlled waters to about $960 as against $5,000 per shipment.”
Gambo said some countries were however being re-considered to be tagged war risk premium nations due to recent developments within the Gulf of Guinea region.
“It is on this development that efforts must be doubled round the clock, to maintain positive postures toward sustained intelligence driven patrols to rid our maritime space of insecurity,” he said.
The CNS reiterated that the Navy, as the nations maritime sentinel, would not stop at ensuring that the domain is safer for sustainable development of the nation’s economy.
He said the successful arraignment and conviction of the crew of a Motor Tanker, MT HEROIC IDUN was an indication of the navy’s resolve to rid the country’s maritime of crime.
Gambo said the projects inaugurated were initiated to consolidate on the comprehensive transformation plan, articulated to guide the navy towards effective discharge of its constitutional mandate.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure a befitting Presidential Fleet Reviewed as the administration draws the curtain,” the CNS said.
