- Retreat seeks MOU with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to improve availability of spares for improved naval platform availability
- Naval Headquarters pledge to standardise equipment holding of all operations Commands and Bases to improve the combat readiness and logistics support
The two-day Nigerian Navy (NN) Retreat 2021 held at new Conference Hall of Naval Headquarters (NHQ), Abuja ended on Tuesday, canvassing for the procurement of a new frigate to serve as Flagship to replace the Nigerian Navy Ship ARADU and improve NN Order of Battle.
The 125.6-metre (412 ft 1 in) multi-role frigate, NNSA ARADU, is the largest warship in the inventory of the Nigerian Navy.
It sailed from its shipyard and arrived at Lagos on 21 December 1981 and was commissioned into service on 22 February 1982.
The retreat also agreed that NHQ should consummate Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to improve availability of spares for improved naval platform availability to effectively secure Nigeria’s maritime domain.
In addition, Naval Headquarters also promised to standardise the equipment holding of all operations commands and bases to improve the combat readiness and logistics support in the NN for enhanced operational effectiveness.
The retreat with theme, “Effective Management for Nigerian Navy Operational Efficiency,” was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Principal Staff Officers at NHQ, Flag Officers Commanding (FOCs) and Commanders of operations bases, while the rest of the NN units, ships and establishments participated virtually via Zoom video conference link.
It focused on the role of decision-making, feedback mechanism and finance in engendering effective management across all levels of command in the Navy.
In the communique issued at the end of the retreat on Tuesday, “it was generally agreed that the Naval Headquarters was to establish Campaign Planning Cells that are to introduce the use of maritime tactical estimate for the conduct of operations across various levels of command to enhance NN capacity to effectively discharge its constitutional roles.
“Participants also agreed that NHQ is to lobby the Grand Strategic Level of Command for the procurement of a new frigate to serve as Flagship to replace the Nigerian Navy Ship ARADU and improve NN Order of Battle.
“The retreat also agreed that NHQ was to consummate Memoranda of Understanding with Original Equipment Manufacturers like Messrs MTU of Germany and Messrs Yamaha of Japan to improve availability of spares for improved platform availability to effectively secure Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“The Retreat also advocated for the establishment of a ‘Basic Maritime Operations Course’ for junior officers and ratings in the NN to improve human capacity for the conduct of effective maritime operations.
“Naval Headquarters also promised to standardise the equipment holding of all operations commands and bases to improve the combat readiness and logistics support in the NN for enhanced operational effectiveness.
“Commanders at various levels were also tasked to leverage existing strategic partnerships to enhance their operational readiness and maintain constant liaison with various stakeholders, including host communities that are key to the actualisation of NN goals and objectives.
“Commanders were to further ensure they gather incontrovertible evidence of infractions before detaining any vessel at sea as well as reinvigorate existing mechanisms emplaced to ensure proper liaison and timely exchange information to counter contiguous and fluid threats that transcends geospatial boundaries of commands in the NN.
“Finally, the CNS charged Commanders and Staff Officers at all levels to emplace adequate measures to ensure prudent utilisation of assigned resources in the discharge of their duties, as the NN under his watch would have zero tolerance for wastages, indiscipline and incompetence.”
During the retreat, three lectures were presented, including “Campaign Planning: Effective Guide for Achieving Operational Objectives,” which was presented by Commodore RTB Michaels; “Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): A Tool for Informed Strategic Decision Making in the NN” and “NN Strategic Plan 2021 – 2030: Financial Management Imperatives for Ships, Units and Establishments” were presented by Commodores OO Fadeyi and KM Bushi respectively.
The lectures were discussed by a Panel, while comments, contributions and clarifications were also made by participants at NHQ as well as virtual participants across all levels of command in the NN.
Thereafter, Flag Officers and Commanders of operational bases gave a brief on activities and challenges of their Commands with particular emphasis on their tasking and plan of action towards the actualisation of the CNS Strategic Directives.
According to the statement by Naval Spokesperson, Commodore Dahun, the two-day event “was adjudged to be a huge success, some resolutions were reached and adopted.”