Naval Chief Storms Logistics Command Oghara, Commissions Projects

… Says Nigerian Navy Will Continue To
Discharge Its Statutory Roles Of Defending The Nation, Protecting Her Maritime-Based Resources

By Nelson Agbajor, Sapele
As part of efforts in strengthening the actualization of mass laudable projects to further reinforce the crucial role logistics plays in the maintenance of naval assets and infrastructure for operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas has lauded the pragmatic efforts of the Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command Oghara, Rear Admiral Samaila Lassa and other officers of the command for creating awareness on the tremendous transformation and landmark achievements at the Logistics Command within a short period.

The Chief of the Naval Staff who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Lagos, Rear Admiral OB Daji, made this call recently while commissioning various projects at the Nigerian Navy Barracks, Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

He noted that this development is evident considering that 21 buildings at different stages of completion were inherited from the Delta State Government in 2008 and in a short span of about five months, three blocks of 4× one bedroom storey buildings were completed and another 4 blocks are under construction.

Other projects commissioned include: an equipped gymnasium, about 1.8km of asphalted road network, 1.3km trapezoical drainages, a transit accommodation of 7 rooms for Junior rates amongst many other developmental and commendable projects.

The Naval Chief while expressing deep satisfaction to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff for their unalloyed support to the Nigerian Navy especially in areas of Fleet renewal that has led to the acquisition of several platforms for the Navy as well as provision of support infrastructure such as jetties and barracks accommodations, again reteirated that the Nigerian Navy will continue to discharge its statutory roles of defending the nation and protecting her Maritime-based resources in a responsive and responsible manner.

Vice Admiral I.E Ibas while expressing deep satisfaction at the harvest of projects at the Logistics Command Oghara, urged the FOC to sustain the tempo, maintaining that he is confident that the Logistics Command is on the right track of fulfilling it’s mandate towards achieving operational as well as welfare components of the CNS Strategic Directive even as he again call on the beneficiaries of these projects to imbibe the culture of maintenance so that the recourse invested in these projects do not go to ease as a way of negligence and carelessness.

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On his part, the Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Oghara, Rear Admiral Samaila Lassa thanked the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok -Ete Ekwe Ibas who is the Special Guest of Honour and other other Senior Officers serving and retired for finding to e to attend the occasion.

Rear Admiral Lassa asserted that the Nigerian Navy Logistics Command, Oghara was established in 2008 commissioned with various responsibilities such as ; execute Nigerian Navy Policies on procurement, storage and distribution of technical and naval materials; application of naval engineering standard and processes related to maintenance and refit of ships, aircraft and fixed assets; and to monitor and assist operational commands with First and Second line maintenance and supply activities.

The FOC added that, the Command supertends over four logistics depots located in Lagos, Calabar, Port-Harcourt and Sapele that handled material and POL supply to the Fleet; 3 Fleet Support Group in Lagos, Calabar and Warri; and a Motor Vehicle Maintenance Group in Lagos. He noted that the LOC has continued to carry out it’s responsibilities in line with it’s motto; ‘ Support for Efficiency”, within the available resources to the Command.

He maintained that, the projects that are being commissioned today is what he may describe as a testimony of stewardship by the command, among other developmental projects since he assumed office as the FOC, while thanking the collective efforts of retired Senior Officers who were once here as Flag Officers Commanding, Logistics Command Oghara for the role played.

The ceremony was well attended by various personalities among whom were: Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik ,Rtd., former FOC , Logistics Commander Oghara, Brigadier General UM Bello, the Brigade Commandant, Nigerian Army, Benin, Hon. Solomon Golley Chairman, Ethiope West Local government area, Prof. Mrs. Otete Okobia, Vice Chancellor, Western Delta University, Oghara , Lt. Cdr. A. Ahmed, and other officers of the Nigerian Navy.

Highlights of the event was award presentation to Serving and retired officers of the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army and other personalities who have distingushed themselves in diligence and meritorious services to humanity.