Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas has described inadequate funding as major challenge preventing the Nigerian navy from discharging it’s constitutional mandate effectively.
He made the statement while defending the 2021 budget before the House of Representatives committee on Navy.
Vice Admiral Ibot Ete Ibas, who reaffirmed Nigerian Navy’s determination towards supporting the ongoing fight against crime said adequate budgetary allocation will enable it build on the ongoing fleet recapitalisation programme and overcome some of it’s challenges.
The Chief of Naval Staff however, disclosed some of the successes recorded which include improved maritime security and maritime law enforcement.
Responding, the committee Chairman Alhaji Yussuf Gagdi, said the House had embarked on constitutional oversight of all naval formations under Western and Eastern naval command.
Alh Yusuf Gagdi, who commended the Nigerian Navy for its professionalism and high standards confirmed that his committee would do everything possible to see that Nigeria Navy has sufficient financial backing in the year 2021.
According to him, the recommendations of the committee to the House will chart a new path for articulating robust measures towards improving on the performance of the Navy.
SALIHU TSIBIRI