By Emmanuel Elebeke

CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Nigerian Navy, Senator Chris Anyanwu, has decried the neglect of the Nigerian Navy for so long, assuring that the legislature would work with the leadership of the Navy to upgrade it to global standards.

Senator Anyanwu made the pledge Tuesday during an inspection visit to Naval Air Station, Ojo, as part of official tour of Naval bases by the senate committee.

Anyanwu, who lamented the high level of decay and degradation of infrastructure and facilities at the various naval commands, said the Nigerian Navy if given the right support and leadership, could explore its rich human and material resources into becoming globally relevant and competitive.

She expressed satisfaction with the opportunity presented by the visit to ascertain the level of decay and challenges facing the force and vowed to do all in her power to assist the Navy overcome the myriad of problem hindering it from attaining its full potentials.

She said: “We will not be satisfied if we do not understand what the Navy is all about. With this visit, it is obvious that degradation and neglect had been the bane of Nigerian Navy. We shall go back and think of how we can better work together with them because there is a lot we can accomplish through partnership.”

For the Senator, Navy holds the future of Nigerian defense, hence the need to give it all the needed attention after so many years of neglect.

Senator Anyanwu commended the founding fathers of the country for their foresight in establishing what she described as enduring naval bases across the country and called on all stakeholders to join hands in reviving the force to assume its former glory.

Tasking the naval command on commitment to leadership and judicious spending with available resources, the lawmaker also warned them over bloated personnel and neglect of abandoned facilities that could be transformed into relevant and viable means of income to the country.