BY Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA—Senate President, David Mark, yesterday, expressed concern over the existing gaps in the asset holding of the Nigeria Navy.

According to him, government ought to equip and re-position the Navy, being the institution vested with the responsibility of securing the nation’s economic base where about 90 per cent of the revenue is generated.

He said: “Judging by the current operational state and challenges of the Navy, it may not be able to perform those noble roles effectively as before. This certainly is not good for Nigeria’s image as a regional maritime power.”

Senator Mark, who spoke while declaring open a seminar organised to mark the Nigeria Navy 56th anniversary in Abuja, said given Nigeria’s reliance on the maritime environment for economic survival and prosperity, it was imperative to secure the maritime environment at all times.

“This, indeed, is a critical requirement for the attainment of the objective and goals of the National Transformation Agenda and Vision 20:20:20. In this context, the need for a virile Navy as a policy instrument for the attainment of national maritime security and economic prosperity objectives remains equally very important.”

Recalling the humble beginning of the Navy in 1956, the Senate President said the force posted a chequered revolutionary history spanning over 50 years, which resulted in the force emerging as a potent national and sub-regional maritime force from the 70s through the 80s.

He said: “During this period, the Nigeria Navy provided a fulcrum for the attainment of national security, economic and foreign policy objectives of Nigeria within West African sub region and beyond.”

He commended the various efforts to reposition the Navy by successive governments but noted that the upsurge in bunkering and militancy put additional burden on the navy in the protection of the nation’s maritime domain.