Senate Asks Buhari to Resuscitate Naval Warship with $200m or Replace with $700m
BUHARI
By Our Correspondent
The poor state of the largest warship belonging to the Nigerian Navy, NNS ARADU, has become a big concern for the upper legislative chamber.
On Wednesday, the Senate called on the President to intervene urgently on the issue by resuscitating the warship for the Navy.
The Senate said as much as $200 million is needed to resuscitate the ship or alternatively $700 million for her replacement.
The war ship has been grounded for sometime now.
The Senate made the call during a round table forum attended by chief executives drawn from the Maritime and petroleum sector, Nigeria Customs Service and Nigerian Immigration Service.
The round table forum was to discuss the funding on the refitting or refurbishing of the ship
In a motion sponsored by 15 senators, Senator George Sekibo said the warship was the first of the MEKO 360 general-purpose frigates built in Germany and commissioned on February 22, 1982.
He said that the warship until now had taken part in major naval exercises, fleet reviews and diplomatic cruises.
Sekibo added, “She played a prominent part in ‘Operation Seadog’ in 1985 and Operation Odion in 1987. She has also undertaken extensive diplomatic visits to countries like Gabon, Congo, Zaire, Equatorial Guinea and many European countries.
“She participated in joint exercises with visiting ships of the German, Indian, French and the Brazilian navies.”
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