Africa-Press – Angola. The governor of Zaire, Adriano Mendes de Carvalho, said Monday in the city of Soyo that the reopening of the local Naval Base will reinforce security on the province’s sea and river coast.
The governor believes that, with this infrastructure, the fight against crimes of fuel smuggling, illegal immigration and fishing, as well as tax evasion and others will be strengthened in the region.
The Naval Base of the Northern Region of the Angolan Navy (MGA) was reopened by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, after expansion and modernization works.
The act was part of the celebrations of the 47th anniversary of the institutionalization of the Angolan Navy (MGA), celebrated on the same day.
On the occasion, Adriano Mendes de Carvalho highlighted the efforts of the Angolan Government to provide greater consistency, dignity, security and protection to the strategic and economic objectives installed in the northern region of the country.
He recognized, on the other hand, the commitment of the central structures of the State in the development of the province of Zaire, having highlighted the implementation of many structuring projects in this part of the country in the most varied domains.
Zaire has a sea coast of 250 kilometers, which has been violated by large fishing vessels of unknown origin, and a river coast of 190 kilometers, the latter bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The North Naval Base, built in a total area of 111 thousand and 500 square meters, has an access channel and a maneuvering basin. Also noteworthy are the Pier of Acostagem, with 330 meters in length, as well as the three Pier bridges, with a total length of 374 meters.
It also includes a 115-metre floating walkway for mooring light vessels, a landing ramp, among other areas.
Land works also included the former military base where administrative support services, spaces for physical activities, cafeteria, fire detection systems and electricity will operate.
The works to expand and modernize the infrastructure, which started in March 2021, are the result of an investment by the Angolan government.
The Soyo Naval Base is a support unit for the North Naval Region, which, in addition to Zaire, includes the provinces of Luanda, Bengo and Cabinda.
Citizens defend reinforcement in the fight against cross-border crimes
Regarding the re-inauguration of the Naval Base in the North Region of the MGA, the residents of Soyo expect a close fight against crimes that occur on the sea and riverfront in the region, the latter bordering the DRC.
Economist Sabino da Conceição recognized the importance of the infrastructure now reopened for maritime and river safety and calls for greater control of territorial waters.
Pastor Benjamin Bakala believes that the modernization of the local Naval Base will contribute to the reduction of cross-border crimes.
The traditional authority Miguel André said, in turn, that the Angolan Navy, in the region, is now more reinforced to combat illegal immigration, illegal fishing and the smuggling of fuel to the DRC.
The Soyo naval base is located in the bed of the Zaire river, which forms the border between this municipality in Zaire and the town of Mwanda, DRC.
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