The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday, inducted SSV-KALI 3, a next-generation security support vessel into service.
The event took place at the Yade Barge, Niger River Bank Asemoku Jetty in Okpai, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., described the induction as a monumental milestone for Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), Delta State, and Nigeria at large.
He highlighted it as a strong testament to indigenous industrial capacity, effective local content integration, and robust public-private synergy between corporate enterprise and the Nigerian Navy.
The Governor expressed immense pride in the fact that the sophisticated vessel was designed and constructed within Delta State, noting that the achievement validates his administration’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment backed by skilled local manpower and technical enterprise.
“This is an important occasion for SEEPCO, Delta State and Nigeria.
“We are celebrating not only a new security vessel, but also indigenous capacity, local content and a successful partnership between the private sector and the Nigerian Navy.
“I congratulate the management of SEEPCO on this achievement and commend the Nigerian Navy for its partnership and professional contribution.
“I am particularly proud that this next-generation vessel was designed and built here in Delta State; it demonstrates that our State has created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, while possessing the human capital, technical expertise and industrial capacity to produce sophisticated assets for strategic sectors of our economy.
“This achievement is consistent with our administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda and our commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment, enterprise and sustainable economic growth.
“We will continue to support initiatives that promote local content, create employment and strengthen the capacity of our people and businesses to participate meaningfully in the State’s economy.
“Through sustained collaboration with our security agencies, we have continued to strengthen security across Delta State, with improved coordination, intelligence sharing and rapid response, contributing to greater stability in our communities and waterways.
“These efforts have helped to protect lives and property, safeguard critical infrastructure and create a more secure environment for legitimate economic activities, particularly in the oil and gas sector.
“The SSV-KALI 3 will add valuable capacity to these efforts, it will strengthen maritime security, help protect oil and gas assets, and support the fight against oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes.
“A secure operating environment is essential for investment, production and economic growth; Delta State therefore, remains open for business, and we will continue to work with investors, security agencies and other stakeholders to sustain the peace and security required for businesses to thrive.
“I urge the operators of the vessel to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and safety; let the SSV-KALI 3 stand as a symbol of what we can achieve when government, indigenous enterprise and our security institutions work together in the national interest,” Governor Oborevwori said.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the occasion was a concrete expression of how the strategic partnership between the Nigerian Navy and the private sector can secure maritime business, protect peace, energy assets, and support.
He assured that, Nigerian Navy is ever ready to collaborate with willing partners to deepen maritime security, protect Nigeria’s maritime interests, and secure critical assets on which the national economy depends.
Earlier, in an address, representative of SEEPCO Management, Mr. Raj Bhargava, said the vessels are being delivered in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy to bolster maritime safety and protect personnel guarding the country’s waterways.
