By Oladapo Udom
The Beninese Navy has taken delivery of the refurbished Beninese Navy Ship Matelot Brice Kpomasse (MBK), commending the Nigerian Naval Dockyard for restoring the vessel to good condition.
The Beninese Chief of Naval Staff, Commodore Dossa Hounkpatin, stated that the BNS MBK was a deep-sea patrol vessel that would be deployed to enhance security within Benin’s territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
He made the remark during the handing-over ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
The CNS was represented by the Beninese Director of Military Organisation and Personnel, Capt. Mohamed Idrissou.
He noted that the achievement was significant as it demonstrated the renewed expression of the Nigerian Naval Dockyard’s undeniable technical capability and expertise.
He further observed that the collaboration established an exemplary model of effective South-South cooperation between Nigeria and Benin in ship maintenance, a partnership that had already yielded tangible and convincing results.
“It also establishes an exemplary model of effective South-South cooperation between Nigeria and Benin, in terms of ships technical maintenance; a cooperation that has already produced tangible and convincing results.
“It should be noted that, since the beginning of this partnership, BNS MBK is the third vessel of the Beninese Navy to benefit from the services of the Nigerian Naval Dockyard Limited.
“This means that the existence of this company is a source of hope and satisfaction for the military navies and commercial maritime forces of the countries of the subregion and the continent,” he said.
The CNS added that the development was proof of the realisation of the political will of both countries’ navies to work together by combining their technical and operational capabilities to tackle common security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea.
He also commended the cooperation and efforts at the operational level within the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture, facilitated through the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centres.
“The regular organisation of sub-regional naval exercises, and the sharing of intelligence is proof of our cooperation.
“I sincerely hope that this willingness to collaborate and work together will be strengthened and intensified in the interests of the states of our sub region and their maritime economies,” Hounkpatin said.
The CNS thanked the Admiral, Superintendent of the Naval Dockyard Ltd., engineers, specialists and technicians, who worked to make BNS MBK fully operational and ready to contribute to regional maritime security.
He urged the commander and the crew of BNS MBK to maintain and operate the vessel with professionalism and a high sense of respect for the public good and with military discipline.
“You will set sail again on a vessel that has been completely refurbished and now exudes the modernity and solidity required to face the waters of the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
“This ship is yours to carry out various missions of national and sub-regional interest and you have embarked on it to serve Benin with loyalty and a sense of duty.
“I have no doubt about your impatience and determination to set sail again with this vessel, to contribute to the efforts to preserve and protect our interests at sea,” Hounkpatin said.
The Admiral Superintendent of Naval Dockyard Ltd., Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shehu recalled that the Republic of Benin Navy and the Dockyard signed an agreement for the docking and refit of six Beninese Navy ships.
Shehu said that BNS PENDJARI and BNS COUFFO had been completed and the vessels had since returned to the Fleet while work on BNS MBK had just been completed and handed over.
“Repair work is currently ongoing on BNS OUEME and BNS ZOU.
“The docking and refit of the Republic of Benin Navy ships in the Yard is a significant milestone in bolstering regional capacity for maritime security and military cooperation between both navies.
“This is the third time that Naval Dockyard Limited has docked an international navy ship thereby adding to her credentials of being a strategic force multiplier in Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem,” he said.
The admiral said that some of the major works done on BNS MBK included: cropping and replating of sections of the hull, modification of stanchions to collapsible fittings.
“Others are overhauling of the main engines, generators, gear boxes and replacement of the anchor, reconstruction of degraded deck vents and other fittings.
“Additionally, the Dockyard overhauled the steering gear and propulsion control systems as well as undertook the reconditioning of the rudder amongst several other system components.
“The ship has been restored to her full operations and seaworthiness, thus enabling the vessel to effectively and satisfactorily fulfil its operational task in the Republic of Benin’s Maritime Domain,” he said.
Shehu thanked the Nigerian CNS, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas for his supportive leadership towards the completion of the refit which had ultimately inspired this remarkable progress. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)