A research and fishing vessel expected to re-position the marine and fisheries sub-sector of the economy has been acquired by the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research.
This was made known in a press release signed by Ayo AdewuyiMedia Assistant
Office of the First Lady, FRN that the vessel built in Poland was on Wednesday christened and commissioned by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan at the WISLA Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland.
Nigeria has a coastline of about 853 kilometers with abundant aquatic resources such as tuna, drift fishes and shrimps which generates over 65million US Dollars annually.
The First Lady said the acquisition of the vessel will enhance the exploration of these resources. She also noted that the vessel will boost Nigeria’s capacity in Marine and Oceanography research for sustainable development and management of the country’s vast resources.
Dame Patience Jonathan expressed happiness that when put to use, the vessel named RV Bayagbona after the First Executive Director of Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Dr. Bayagbona will further drive the Agricultural policy of President Goodluck Jonathan to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production, especially fish production.
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina and Nigerian Ambassador to Poland, Dr Samuel Jimba in their remarks expressed appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for his efforts to ensure a secure and efficient marine coastline as an ingredient of National development.
They agreed that the birth of the vessel will further boost the economic relationship between Nigeria and Poland.As is the tradition, the First Lady pronounced the naming formula for the commissioning and broke the bottle of Champagne against the hull after which dignitaries went aboard
the vessel for inspection.
The vessel is expected to commence its sail to Nigeria soonest.
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