President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, applauded the Nigerian Navy for its steadfast guardianship of the strategic space through effective integration of surveillance systems, rapid response mechanisms, and robust enforcement operations, and successful eradication of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

He also lauded the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for inaugurating the Combined Maritime Task Force, an initiative which will always be on standby to ensure maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The President spoke during the international fleet review and commissioning of ships by the Nigerian Navy as part of its 70th anniversary celebration at Eko Atlantic Oceanview, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Tinubu charged officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy to sustain high standards of professionalism and to continually deepen operational capability and effectiveness in safeguarding the nation’s territorial waters.

The President, who attended the event with service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, and the National Security Advisers, noted that the Nigerian maritime domain, endowed with immense natural wealth, remains a vital pillar of the national economy, serving as a major source of foreign exchange and a critical artery for global trade.

According to him, since its humble beginning in 1956 as a colonial marine, the Nigerian Navy has evolved in tandem with our nation’s sovereignty, growing from a fledgling service into a modern, sophisticated naval power and an anchor of stability for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

The President extended his warmest congratulations to the Nigerian Navy for emerging as the most formidable naval force in Africa.

MEANWHILE, Bonny Gas Transport Limited (BGT), a subsidiary of NLNG, has awarded contracts for the construction of three newbuild Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessels to two Chinese firms.

The vessels, which are contracted to Hudong-Zhongua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Limited and China Shipbuilding Trading Co. Limited, are part of BGT’s fleet renewal and replacement plan programme.

According to a statement by the NLNG management, each vessel will have a cargo capacity of 174,000 cubic metres and will be fitted with advanced X-DF propulsion technology.

NLNG noted that this technology improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions compared to older vessel designs.

The vessels are expected to be delivered in 2029 and will be chartered by NLNG and managed by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML), an integrated maritime services company with a strong reputation for providing top-notch maritime services.