Africa-Press – Angola. The commander of the Angolan Navy (MGA), Admiral Valentim António, highlighted, Monday, the contribution of this branch of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) to the development of the northern region of the country, particularly the municipality of Soyo, province of Zaire.
The admiral officer, who was speaking at the commemoration of the 47th anniversary of the MGA, celebrated (10), underlined the fact that the support facilities for the operational activity of ships are located in a strategic area, in which the Zaire river is located, cataloged among the largest in the world, an international communication route with a complex configuration.
The Navy in the region has always been a factor in the development of this city and one of the biggest employers, as many citizens find their jobs here, whether administrative, support or as a worker in naval workshops, he said.
He considered that it is situated in a geography and biodiversity capable of attracting tourists from various latitudes, with many economic advantages, and pointed out the existence, in the area, of important oil and gas exploration facilities, factors for the country’s development whose protection and defense constitutes a imperative and essential mission of the Navy.
According to the commander, it is also a border area close to countries that together with Angola and within the framework of regional organizations must cooperate to maintain the security of the region, in the face of dangers and threats that occur in the national seas.
He spoke of the provision of work by the Navy in the medical area for the population of this municipality in addition to public health services and highlighted the valences of the naval base reopened.
“The Navy and the population of this city are grateful, which always had and will have this base as their safe haven”, he said, referring to the fact that the Soyo naval base is the largest infrastructure built for this military branch over its 47 years of existence. .
He made it known that, in recent years, the Navy has been reinforced with ships and speedboats, with the arrival of larger vessels with combat capacity in the country soon, capable of ensuring greater presence and imposing law and order at sea in safeguarding national sovereignty.
Added to these naval platforms are modern maritime surveillance systems and various sensors that will enable better planning and decision-making in operations.
According to the commander, the Navy is following a good path, as naval education establishments reach cruising speed and train officers in the desired quality.
He recalled that the base, whose construction dates back to the 1960s and went through periods of destruction as a result of the post-electoral conflict between 1992 and 2002, already demanded modern and functional infrastructures at the height.
The commemorative act of the 47th anniversary of the Angolan Navy was led by the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces, who reopened the Soyo Naval Base.
The activity was also marked by the parade of troops on parade, having been witnessed by members of the Government, the diplomatic corps and defense attachés of accredited Angolan embassies, traditional authorities and religious entities.
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