Fubara Urges Navy To Move Bases To Rivers
By People’s Voice Nigeria | News
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on the Nigerian Navy to move all its bases to the state and go hard on criminal elements that engage in crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage,
Fubara made the call when he hosted the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla with his delegation of top officers of Navy High Command at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Fubara said that Rivers was not named in error adding that the state is surrounded by different waterways that could improve the operations of the Navy.
The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, added that the dwindling level of oil theft in Rivers was due to the positive things happening in the state, noting that such achievements would be sustained.
He said: “This is why we are requesting that the Nigerian Navy move all its bases to the state. It was not a mistake they called it Rivers State. It is surrounded by all forms of rivers.
“If you want the Atlantic region, you can get it here. If you want those small creeks, you can also get it here. Maybe, if you want an Island, you can also find it here.
“So, it is proper if we work with you and you have all that is required within this geographic region, to have all your bases relocated to Rivers State.
“We must continue to give you the necessary support to make sure that you succeed. I am happy to also say that, as the Governor of the State by the special grace of God, we are still here, not minding the dramas here and there. We will not let our people down in ensuring that we protect their interests.
“We will support the genuine course of governance; the protection of lives and the provision of basic amenities. And these can only be achieved when there is a peaceful environment.
“And the peaceful environment can only come when there is a collaboration with security agencies to prevent crimes and protect the lives and property of residents.
Fubara added that the state would continue to provide the support to ensure that the naval chief delivers on his mandate.
“And what is the mandate? You were appointed at a time when our country is facing a lot of crises, and your duty, among others, includes reducing, if it cannot be eliminated, the criminalities perpetrated on the waterways; oil theft and others.
“And I am happy that they are positive and commendable records of achievement so far, in the course of your tenure.”
He said; “The success of the Nigerian Navy in our State, in the areas of oil theft, is because the State Government has given you all the necessary support.
“We have collaborated with the command here. We supported them morally and with all the necessary logistics.
“We have also maintained good relationships with the communities to make sure that whatever it is that is required for these operations to be successful were granted. I am happy to be associated with these very laudable achievements.
“So, I have to say that I am happy that the Chief of Naval Staff, today, is commending the success of the exercise. He is commending the doggedness of the men in fighting oil theft, not just in the Niger Delta, but particularly in our State.
“I want to assure you that we will continue to give them the support, and discourage any act that would be a sabotage to the economy of our State.”
.Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, said the Navy needed collaboration on various aspects of their activities ranging from training, operations, and logistics.
He said: “My purpose of coming here today is threefold. The first is to inform His Excellency that on Saturday, we are graduating a set of former civilians who have been trained at our Basic Training School, Onne, and are graduating to join the ranks of the Nigerian Navy as ratings to beef up our strength.
“The second reason is to first appreciate the Governor and the entire Rivers State Government for the schools they donated to us: the Ambassador Nne Krukrubo Model Secondary School at Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area, and the Model Secondary School, Egbelu in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
“We also want to use this opportunity to inform His Excellency that following that donation, and based on our strategic plan of moving our facilities to areas where we have enough space to be able to carry out duties, we have renovated the school at Eleme.”
