The Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Monsur Dan Ali (rtd) disclosed this to newsmen in his office in Abuja after a closed door meeting with the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello.
The minister said plans for the building of the naval base have reached advance stage, alluding the progress made on the project to the determination of Governor Sani-Bello , whom he said initiated the partnership with the Ministry of Defence for the siting of the naval outpost in Sagunnu.
Gen. Dan Ali said the recognizance of the area for the siting of the base and other logistics are being worked out while necessary budgetary provision is being taken care off in 2018 budget.
The highly elated minister who was so optimistic about the project maintained that the naval base will serve as a veritable platform for the sustainance of peace and security of the north west region of the country.
He then commended the collaborative efforts of the Niger State government at actualising the project. According to him, “we look forward to this kind of partnership whereby state governors will come forward to partner with the Ministry of Defence for the peace and security of our country.
“I appreciate the fact that Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello has laid the foundation for the establshmentof the naval outpost. We recently had a similar outpost in Lake Chad basin and this one will add impetus to the peace and security of north west region of the country”.
Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello had earlier said that government will provide access road to the base to facilitate construction of the base.
The Governor further said that a roadmap is being articulated for the project and assured the minister of his administration’s commitment to the construction of the naval outpost base.
“Our visit to the Ministry of Defence is a follow up to discuss what we started a year or two ago with a view to building a naval outpost base for the Nigerian Navy in Sagunnu in Borgu local government area of the state,” Governor Sani-Bello stated.
The Governor was accompanied by the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Haliru Dantoro.
