Chief of Naval Staff Warns Indigenous Ship Operators Against Sabotage

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ekwe-Ibas, on Wednesday in Abuja warned indigenous ship operators to desist from acts that would constitute economic sabotage.Ibas gave the warning when he hosted the Nigeria Ship Owners Association (NSOA) led by its President, retired Navy Capt. Olaniyi Labinjo.
”I appeal to you as execute members of your association to warn your members to desist from acts that sabotage efforts of the nation.
“Any attempt to undermine government efforts will be resisted firmly by the Nigerian Navy.
” As a liberal state, we need all the stakeholders to collaborate to enable the nation have all the support required for development,” he said.
He urged the association to make more efforts to partner with the security agencies to help provide the necessary environment for business to thrive.
The chief of naval staff also solicited the cooperation of the association in gathering intelligence and information needed to curtail incidents of sea piracy.
Recounting the role played by the indigenous ship owners in the past, Ibas said the association had contributed immensely to the development of the country. Responding, Labinjo described the Nigerian Navy and NSOA as ” two wings of the same bird’’, stressing that their relationships and roles were intertwined.
Labinjo also said that the two groups played key roles in the economic development of the country.
According to him, the visit to the Navy Headquarters was a solidarity one and aimed at strengthening ties with the new Navy Command.