The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, says the Nigerian Navy (NN) has been redoubling its efforts to reduce high insurance premiums demanded for ships in Nigeria-controlled waters and is getting commensurate results.

Awwal said this on Monday while inaugurating projects cutting across the naval commands in Lagos State.

He recalled that sustained and aggressive patrols within the maritime domain significantly reduced piracy and other maritime crimes in 2022.

“This culminated in delisting Nigeria from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) list of piracy prone countries in March 2022.

“This further led to lifting of 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,” he said.

Awwal, however, said there were speculations that some Gulf of Guinea countries were again considered to be tagged with the War Risk Premium, due to recent developments within the 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.

He reiterated that the Nigerian Navy, as the nations maritime sentinel, would conttinue to ensure the domain is safer for sustainable development of the nation’s Blue Economy.

“Furthermore, the successful arraignment and conviction of Motor Tanker, HEROIC IDUN and her crew arrested last August, is an indication of the navy’s resolve to rid the nation of maritime crime.

“The crew was sentenced after a plea bargain to pay N5 million as penalty for the charge and $15 million as restitution to the country.

“It is to be noted that the vessel and crew will not be released until the penalty and restitution are paid, as well as public apologies made in the print and electronic media in Nigeria and Llyod’s list,” Awwal said.

Awwal inaugurated several projects that cut across the naval commands in Lagos State on Monday.

He said that the projects inaugurated were initiated to consolidate on the comprehensive transformation plan, articulated to guide the Nigerian Navy towards effective discharge of its constitutional mandate.

“These infrastructural developments are in addition to already commissioned as well as ongoing projects like the reconstruction of the Base Flat Officers Accommodation in Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft.

“Also, a 250-metre runway at Naval Air Base, Ojo, with in-built lights and non-directional beacons, to aid training and operations in restricted visibility.

“The Nigerian Navy is cognisant of the significance of essential infrastructure and facilities within bases and barracks as they hasten necessary comfort and essential ambience to bolster security, productivity and efficiency,” Awwal said.

He said it was in this regard that the Naval Headquarters had continued to prioritise infrastructural development in the hierarchy of its preferences.

“Certainly, commissioning these structures will further ameliorate deficiencies experienced at the respective units and bases.

“I urge occupants of these structures and facilities to inculcate deliberate positive maintenance culture, so that these legacy projects will serve future generations of personnel.

“We must all be encouraged by this and many other achievements of the Nigerian Navy, regardless of unguarded comments and utterances from unpatriotic individuals,” he said.