By Correspondent in Abuja
The Nigerian Navy (NN) and Dangote Group of Companies, on Saturday, in Abuja, agreed to partner on maritime security against piracy and other criminal activities.
The Reporters reports that the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, and Dangote Group of Companies, Led by its President/CEO, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, entered the agreement when the latter paid a visit to the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
Gambo noted that the partnership became imperative due to the activities of pirates and other criminal activities in the nation’s maritime domain, particularly to protect the group’s refinery.
“So, we are always willing and ready to partner with you, we will continue to make sure that we deliver on our core mandate of protecting the maritime domain and make sure they are safe for businesses and other activities.
“We are glad for recognising us as a service, I can assure you of our full support through the partnership to protect your facilities.
“It will also be of great benefit to the country because it will generate employment, as well as boosting the economy of the country,”he said.
The CNS, however, said he looked forward to receiving the facility the group would avail the service and how best it could use the facility to protect the group’s refinery.
He promised to establish a Forward Operation Base (FOB), at the group’s facility, depending on the estimate at its Headquarters.
Gambo, however,urged the group to patronage its duckyard in Lagos and Portharcout.
“We are also looking forward to build barges for you as well as tanks, to enable you carryout your activities, easily rather than thinking of going abroad.“
Earlier, Dangote said that the reason behind the visit was to partner with the service to protect its refinery and other facilities.
The international business magnate noted that the partnership had become imperative, owing to the activities of pirates and other criminal elements operating in the nation’s maritime environment.
He expressed worry about the successful operations of his refinery, due to the activities of these miscreants without having the protection of the service.
“There are a quite a lot we can do. Two hands clap together, it means do your beat and let me do my beat. We support you to also do your job, it does not really mean that only what affects us, no, but what also affects the NN.
“My main point is how NN can set up a permanent naval protection base at our refinery..
“Based on the capacity of our refinery, it means we can actually process one third of the country’s production which is quite a lot and when you look at the sizes of refineries in the world, that is a very huge operation.
“There is going to be a lot of movement of ships in and out, and I think there is no way we can succeed in what we want to do, without the support of the NN.
“You are going to be our major partner before we even talk of oil. This is because, there must be peace, security and protection before we can even operate.
“So, permanent a naval base is very key for our operations. Our refinery is actually sandwiched between the ocean and the lagoon, with 125 kilometers of soft sea pipeline and those ships loading our urea for export need protection.
He also sought the support of the Service in area of aerial vehicle, such as helicopter,when and where necessary, as well as intelligence sharing.
