The House of Representatives Committee on Navy has called for improved funding of military commands to address security challenges faced by troops daily.

The committee chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, made the call when he led members on an oversight visit to the Central Naval Command (CNC) headquarters in Yenagoa on Friday.

“The navy has done incredibly well in terms of the little resources made available to it; the quality of the projects is highly commendable,” the committee chairman said.

Mr Gagbi noted that the location of the naval command in Bayelsa, with its huge economic potential, should get better attention than it was currently getting.

The lawmaker went ahead to add that the Arm Forces Act when passed, would enable the navy to prosecute offenders in the maritime domain.

“If a pirate is arrested, the Nigerian Navy will have the right to take him to court for prosecution directly without handing him over to other security agencies,” he said.

The committee’s chairman, who later inspected facilities at the command headquarters, lamented the dearth of infrastructure there.

Meanwhile, the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command (CNC), Obinwanne Egbuchulam, commended the committee for siding with the navy.

Mr Egbuchulam said the command had reduced maritime ills by conducting rigorous routine naval operations and mounting dedicated operations to meet specific mandates.

He said “much work has also been done to improve on the operational efficiency and welfare of naval personnel in the area, which you will soon be briefed on.

“I have no doubt that the Nigerian Navy and, indeed, the Armed Forces of Nigeria will benefit immensely from your oversight visit to the navy formations in this area,” he added.

(NAN)