By Austin Ogwuda
GOVERNOR Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has called on the Nigerian Navy to work assiduously in curbing illegal activities on Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Receiving the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Rear Admiral U.S.A Chugali on courtesy at Government House the governor said “we know how critical our terrain is and that is why this visit is very important because Delta State is 40 percent coastal and we need all the support from the Navy.
“I know the Navy has done a lot in securing our waterways and that is why our oil production is going smoothly and as a State Government, we encourage you to do more.
“One of the representatives here is someone that I have worked with in 2009 when he was the military Amnesty Coordinator and I was the State Coordinator.
“We worked very well together and we covered a lot of riverine areas in the State and I know he understands our terrain very well. I am assured that with him present, our State will be more secure.
“I want to mention that a lot of illegal activities are still existing, but in time such activities will come to an end due to your commitment, as it is the duty of the Navy and Marine Police to look into activities happening in our seas.
“I want to thank you for your visit and as well congratulate the Chief of Naval Staff on his appointment. I know that you all will continue to do well to secure our maritime domain.
“I have promised Deltans that we will do more to improve peace and security with our M.O.R.E Agenda and I know that with the effort of the Navy and other security agencies, Delta State will continue to be peaceful, which will in turn attract more investments into our State,” Governor Oborevwori stated.
In a related development, the State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme has said that the issue of security is a top priority to this present administration.
He stated this when the Delta State Commandant and top personnel of the Nigerian Security And Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC came on a courtesy visit.
According to him, the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration is aware that without security of life and property, no meaningful development will take place, asserting that, “security is a cardinal programme in the M.O.R.E. Agenda of our administration.
“We know the type of work you people do and nobody will want to joke with the issue of security; without security, no meaningful development will take place; no matter how wealthy, no matter how good that you are, if security breaks down, all that you will be concerned about is safety.
“With adequate security, of course success will be recorded in every sector of the economy, so, this administration is very keen in ensuring the safety of life and property of our people anywhere they are because, our mission is to ensure a stable and progressive polity.
“As it concerns your needs to enable you perform optimally, we are aware that though, you are an agency of the Federal Government, as a government, we know that this is where you operate and we are the people living here, so, we will encourage you to bring out your best.”
Earlier, the State Commandant of NSCDC, Corps Commandant Suleiman Jimoh appealed to the state government to support the Corps with operational vehicles and other logistics to enable it function optimally.