The Nigerian Navy has assured that it will sustain the implementation of its statutory mandate of securing the nation’s maritime environment with a view to ensuring the economy continues to grow.

Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande gave this assurance on Monday, March 18, 2024 when he visited the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal in Bonny, Rivers State, as part of his familiarization tour of naval formations under his command.

The Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal is a crude oil processing and storage facility belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company, a subsidiary of Shell Nigeria Companies.

The FOC had earlier visited the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Akiama, Bonny where he was briefed on the operations of the FOB in Bonny and its environs by the Commanding Officer, Capt. Maksum Mohammed.

Addressing the Terminal Installation Manager, Osita Nnadozie, and other senior officials of both the Eastern Naval Command and the Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Rear Admiral Akinwande noted that the operations of the terminal were impactful on the nation’s economy thus requires adequate security to function at its optimum.

“From the little brief that you had given us, no doubt, you guys are doing a great, great job. We all know that what comes to our country in terms of revenue comes from your effort. What you are doing here contributes to the running of our country.”

“…and like you rightly mentioned, Sir, it is important you actually get what is required, in terms of observed leakages. You rightly pointed out, it’s important that those issues are addressed, such that we can be in maximum production capacity and all of that, if that happens, it’s good for the country, it’s good for everybody.”

“Like I addressed my men today at Onne, constitution wise, the Nigerian Navy has been saddled with the responsibility of securing the nation’s right and environment and our national interest on the sea and that is to create the enabling environment for economic activities, just as you are doing.”

He stated that in line with strategic guidance of the Chief of Naval Staff, the Nigerian Navy will continue to engage critical maritime stakeholders in the furtherance of its statutory mandate of protecting the nation’s maritime space for businesses to thrive and for the economy to grow.

“I really want to appreciate everyone here. Please, you can come and ask for help any time. We remain committed to our collaborative engagement. We are also showing that we are ready to give you all the necessary support that you need.”

“Our commitment is to the collaborative engagement that we have built over the years. We are still very much interested and also committed to giving you and other critical maritime stakeholders the desired support in every area so that your business will continue to deliver on the desired expectation to the government.”

“And if there’s any time, I think it is now that the government is serious about business, serious about ensuring that everything that has to do with bringing money into the country is explored, as it were.”

He commended the SPDC Bonny Terminal management team for their efforts in sustaining the operations of the BOGT, assuring that the Navy will continue to avail the support they need to deliver on their assignment.

“I think I can appreciate really. I can appreciate what our ships are doing from what you have said. That production is evident, that production is on the increase. That is good for us and that’s also good for your company as well.”

“I would pray that we continue to build on this collaborative engagement and then country will indeed benefit from our effort. I want to thank you. Your team, it looks small, but your impact is such a wonderful one. Thank you. Thank you so much, Sir.”

Earlier, the Terminal Installation Manager, Osita Nnadozie thanked the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command and his entourage for the visit, informing that he and his team manage the various processes that ensure that SPDC’s commitments to clients and stakeholders are met.

He noted that the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal receives crude oil from various sources including the Oloma flow station and then processes it for delivery to clients such as Dangote Refinery, Port Harcourt Refinery, and gas to NLNG, as well as for oversea exports.

He solicited the support of the Nigerian Navy in addressing security challenges that impede effective delivery of crude oil from various flow stations to the terminal in Bonny, explaining that the terminal is currently delivering six million barrels of crude oil for export, stressing that the facility, however, has capacity to do more.

The FOC Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, alongside his entourage, were later guided on a tour of naval facilities in the SPDC Terminal by the Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Capt. Maksum Mohammed, before departing for Onne enroute Calabar.