SHIP BUILDING: NAVY SIGNS MOU WITH EUROPEAN FIRM

The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday signed a partnership agreement with a European firm, TP Marine Global services ltd., to establish a ship building facility in Lagos.

Speaking at a brief ceremony in Abuja, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ola Ibrahim said the project would be wholly financed by the firm while the navy would provide the  land  for  the facility.

Ibrahim, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Adm. James Oladimeji, said the completion of the facility would mark the beginning of self reliance in ship maintenance and repairs in the navy.

The facility will be sited at the Naval Dockyard in Lagos and  will  be engaged in ship building, repairs and maintenance of  vessels.

'The interesting thing about this partnership is that the navy is not spending money.

The company, TP Marine Global Services Ltd,  will be responsible for the cost of the entire project while the navy will only provide a piece of land at the Dockyard in Lagos.

It is an important development for this country, especially the navy, because it marks the beginning of self sufficiency in ship building and repair,

''We would no longer take our ships abroad for repair when this facility is completed,' he said. He said the take-off of the facility would enhance employment generation as many Nigerians would be engaged directly or indirectly in the fields of engineering and commerce.

Ibrahim also said the project would boost the economy as funds hitherto used for the maintenance of vessels abroad would be channeled to other critical areas of the economy.

The representative of TP Marine Global Services Ltd, Amit Sade, said apart from the building and maintenance of vessels, the company would be involved in the training of naval personnel in the area of ship building and maintenance.