The Nigerian Navy said it has made arrangements to relocate the Naval Training Command headquarters from Lagos to Onne in Rivers State. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, at Government House, Port Harcourt.

He outlined the purpose of his visit, which included informing the Governor about the upcoming graduation of civilians trained at the Basic Training School in Onne to join the Nigerian Navy . Additionally, he expressed gratitude for the donation of schools by the Rivers State government and announced the relocation of the Naval Training Command headquarters to Eleme.

He said The relocation of the Nigerian Navy’s training command headquarters from Lagos to Ebubu in Eleme, Rivers State, signifies a strategic move aimed at leveraging the riverine environment of Rivers State for enhanced operational effectiveness.

The Chief of Naval Staff also provided an update on the Navy’s efforts in combating maritime crimes, particularly oil theft. He noted significant achievements under Operation Delta Sanity, including the impounding of 14 vessels transporting stolen crude oil and numerous arrests.

He stated that The Navy’s presence in Rivers State would contribute to enhanced maritime security, particularly in combating maritime crimes such as oil theft and piracy. Improving security to create a conducive environment for water ways  economic activities and , consequently attracting investment to the region

During the visit, the Rear Admiral MAB ELEGBEDE Hall within HQ NAVTRAC was commissioned, further underscoring the importance of the Navy’s presence in the region. Honorable Babajimi Benson, representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, was also in attendance, reaffirming the collaborative efforts between the Navy and governmental bodies.

During the inauguration event, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in  a collective fight against oil theft, also donated N350m to the Nigerian Navy to support the continuing infrastructure development and operationalization of the training command in the state.  He said The relocation of the  significant military command headquarters to Rivers State would  signal stability and government commitment to security and development in the region, attracting  private investment in various sectors, including infrastructure, tourism, and hospitality, leading to further economic growth and development.

Governor Fubara urged the Navy to ensure that its investment in the professional development of naval personnel translated into visible advancement in the security and prosperity of the nation’s maritime interests and blue economy. He urged the Navy to be firm in the fight against all forms of economic sabotage, particularly crude oil theft, in the nation’s waterways.

The governor noted that the event completed a development journey that started in April, 2023,  when his predecessor graciously ceded the dilapidated structures of the abandoned former Ambassador Nne Krukrubo Model Government Secondary School to the Nigerian Navy for use. The governor emphasized the need to protect the riverine areas of Rivers State and the hydrocarbon industry by the Navy and other security agencies.

In his speech, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, lamented that Nigeria loses an estimated 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day to theft, giving the Nigerian Navy a challenge to rise up to its mandate of contributing to the survival of the national economy.

He said: “Unfortunately, it is estimated that Nigeria loses over 300,000 barrels of crude oil daily to oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of criminality. This has led to revenue losses estimated at N1.29trillion annually.”

On his part, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, thanked the Rivers State Government for the donation of the entire complex to demonstrate the existing cordial relationship between the Nigerian Navy and Rivers State in the Niger Delta.