The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged the Nigerian Navy to take decisive action against all forms of economic sabotage, particularly the theft of crude oil.
The Governor expressed satisfaction with the Navy’s positive outcomes in Rivers, attributing them to the substantial support provided by his administration.
Governor Fubara made these remarks while welcoming the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, along with his delegation of senior officers from the Navy High Command, to the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
“We are in collaboration; we will offer you all the necessary support to ensure you fulfill your mandate,” said the Governor.
He continued, “And what is this mandate? You have been appointed during a period of numerous crises in our country, and your responsibilities include, among others, the reduction—or complete eradication—of crimes committed on our waterways, such as oil theft and related offenses.”
“And I am happy that they are positive and commendable records of achievement so far, in the course of your tenure.”
Fubara in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said the reduced level of oil theft in Rivers was the evidence of the many positive things happening in the state beyond the much-hyped negativity, and assured that such positive achievements would be sustained.
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.”
Fubara said that Rivers was not named in error adding that the state is surrounded by many water channels that could boost the operations of the Navy.
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 lives and property of residents.”
In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reiterated that the Nigerian Navy and Rivers were like conjoined twins, who could not do without each other.
He said the Navy needed collaboration on various aspects of their activities ranging from training, operations, and logistics, adding that Rivers remained key to their performance.
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.
“We are happy to report, today, that the erstwhile location of Headquarters of Naval Training Command, Lagos, is moving to that particular school location in Eleme, tomorrow.’
Discussing the Navy’s operational achievements, he mentioned that following President Bola Tinubu’s directive, the Nigerian Navy has successfully impounded 14 vessels involved in the transportation of stolen crude oil and detained numerous individuals under his command.
He stated: “Today, I am here to report, Sir, that ‘Operation Delta Sanity,’ initiated in January 2024, has been highly successful. During this time, we have achieved significant successes and accomplishments.
“More than 14 large vessels carrying crude oil have been apprehended. Many are currently under investigation. We have also detained several barges and various companies and organizations implicated in oil theft.
“Thanks to these operations, we are pleased to announce that there have been considerable improvements in maritime security.” …as the Navy seizes 14 vessels and moves the training headquarters to Port Harcourt.
