The move to establish the Ogurugu navy base has become one of the strategic steps by the Nigerian Navy in recent times that promises more than strategic military importance. The facility, when established, would also create a synergetic economic opportunity in the area and other parts of the country. The Nigerian Navy’s move to establish a naval base in the Ogurugu River vicinity had been greeted with lots of fanfare by members of the community and the greater Nigerian society, but beyond military strategic importance, what other significant result could the Ogurugu navy base yield?

Security

The Ogurugu community is situated in the Uzouwani local government area, which used to be the most terrorized local government in Enugu State. On several occasions, a series of fracas resulted from herder-farmer clashes in the chiefly agrarian community where violent confrontation often arises between the locals and armed Fulani herders. This confrontation with the armed herders usually resulted in high-scale loss of lives and properties. With the positioning of the naval base in the community, the security of lives and properties would improve; hopefully, the government may also take measures to reduce such farmer herders clashes.

Apart from the farmer-herder clashes resulting in insecurity, other forms of insecurity that before used to bedevil the community could be mitigated given the military presence in the vicinity.

Economic opportunities  

Historically, the Ogurugu community used to be a thriving business settlement. Hopefully, the Ogurugu navy base establishment could bring back the town’s lost glory. The town was a very important business environment during the colonial administration, serving as the export channel of the Northern Igboland (Nsukka area) products. There used to be a thriving colonial-era seaport in the vicinity where the Ogurugu navy base is to be established. The opening up of the waterway once again would certainly attract different businesses and investors.

Government attention

The Ogurugu community has several silent government developments, but unfortunately, in the past, most of these projects were almost abandoned in ruin; hopefully, the coming of the Ogurugu navy base would bring back government attention. Many critical projects have been built in Ogurugu, begging to be used; for instance, there is an abandoned airport/airstrip in the community. Within the Uzouwanni local government is located the Adada River and Adada River dam; there’s a built jetty and several other strategic structures established over time by different administrations. Perhaps the coming of the Nigerian Navy into the community would look critically into these established infrastructures and figure out ways to ensure that they become functional.

Opportunities

Establishing a naval base comes with a series of opportunities, and establishing the Ogurugu navy base would make much difference.

Employment opportunities: Different individuals would be employed one way or the other, and the base construction would require lots of skilled and semi-skilled labor, considering several construction companies would be there. More people means more opportunities because people will always need services and products, which provisions of these services and products call for employment or supply.

There would certainly be unprecedented population growth in the community, which has been a sleepy town for a while. This population increase would create different classes of demand and supply, creating employment opportunities and accompanying demand and supply chains.

Opening up the waterways: Another opportunity would be opening up the waterway to both military and civilian traffic; this could improve the tourism appeal of the community as an ancient town and a formal economic settlement. There could be several aspects of the town that would attract tourists; the town’s potential to offer great relaxation and hospitality is there. It could also be a holiday destination, especially if security and serenity are preserved. Hopefully, security and serenity could be achieved, given the Navy’s presence.

Emergence of Market: The emergence of a market could be one of the economic breakthroughs of establishing the Ogurugu navy base. Once the water body is opened to greater traffic, the agricultural produce of the community will find an export channel; within this route, a market will certainly emerge.

The Strategic Implication of the Ogurugu Navy Base

Now that we have discussed the socioeconomic implications of the Ogurugu Navy Base, let’s look at its strategic value.

The Northward Corridor Coverage towards the Sea: The Ogurugu Navy Base would be the closest naval base to the North of Nigeria with navigability throughout the year. Since the river Niger is the only hope of Northern Nigeria in accessing the sea, the Ogurugu River serves as the only channel where the North of Nigeria could be accessed amphibiously throughout the year. Beyond the point of the Ogurugu River, the Niger may not be navigable throughout the year; this would bring significant importance to the naval base as the North of Nigeria holds the greater landmass as such that any fully functional naval base closer to the North would have a significant strategic advantage.

You May also Like to Read About Bua Cement Price Reduction: Exploits or Exploitations?