The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abass has given the assurance that the Nigerian Navy will continue to maintain the existing peace in the maritime space.
Abass gave the assurance on Monday during his maiden familiarisation visit to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta in Warri.
The CNS was received by the Commander of the NNS Delta, Commodore Abdulazeez Zubairu.
Addressing newsmen, Abass emphasised that there had been great improvement in the security situation in the Niger Delta.
He noted that the development had led to increase in crude oil production and by implications, more foreign exchange.
“The Nigerian Navy will continue to do everything possible to maintain the peace we have within our maritime environment to enable legitimate businesses to thrive.
“Of course, Nigeria relies heavily on crude oil production, particularly in the Niger Delta region, and Delta is home to most of the offshore assets,” he said.
The naval chief also said that the prevailing security challenges in the country required a societal approach.
He maintained that the Nigerian Navy needs the communities dwellers, while the communities also need the Navy, so, “it is symbiotic”.
“We cannot do without the community people and the locals cannot do without the Navy. They are the locals, and they know who is who in a particular area.
“We do not have other options than to work with them because we get information or intelligence from them,” he said.
Abass said that the Nigerian Navy conducts regular medical rhapsody as well as distribution of palliatives to the locals in order to bring them closer.
Earlier, while addressing the personnel, the CNS urged them to always maintain the highest standards of professionalism and discipline in their conducts.
He also urged the personnel to work in line with the core values of the Nigerian Navy which according to him are: professionalism, integrity and teamwork.
The naval chief reminded the personnel that they were the custodians of the maritime environment where crude oil was explored.
Abass, however, assured that hard work would be rewarded while indiscipline would be severally sanctioned.