By John Odhe, YENAGOA
The Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to sustain the prevailing peace and protect critical national assets in the state.
Diri stated this in government house, Yenagoa, when he received the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Nigerian Army 6 Division, Major General Everest Okoro and other senior military officers who paid him a courtesy visit after their official posting to the state.
Other military officers that visited the governor included the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo.
Also present amongst the entourage was the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Vice Marshal Michael Onyebashi.
The governor applauded the military for their collaboration with the state government, noting that the synergy had contributed to the existing peace and stability in Bayelsa.
His words: “We appreciate you and commend the synergy you have established with other security agencies.
The presence of personnel from various paramilitary and security agencies, alongside the military, demonstrates the importance of collaboration. By working together, you can provide sound advice to both the Federal Government and state governments on security matters.”
The Bayelsa governor, however, appealed to the military authorities to reconsider Bayelsa State’s alignment from the 6th Division, headquartered in Port Harcourt, to the 83 Division, which now has Delta and Bayelsa headquartered in Benin, Edo State.
He stressed that the state’s proximity to Port Harcourt would make coordination and logistics easier.
He welcomed the proposed establishment of additional Army formations in Oporoma, (Southern Ijaw Local Government Area), Ekeremor (Ekeremor LGA) and Nembe (Nembe LGA) as well as an artillery regiment and a Forward Operating Base in Sampou (Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA).
He described the development as a boost to security across the state’s three senatorial districts.
While addressing the FOC CNC, Rear Admiral Ibrahim, the Bayelsa governor noted that the presence of the Navy in Brass would not only enhance security in the state but also in the country given the strategic importance of Bayelsa in oil and gas and maritime activities.
According to Diri, Bayelsa is one of the safest states in Nigeria, with no reported cases of sea piracy in several security council meetings, a feat attributed largely to the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Navy.
Responding to the FOC’s requests, Diri directed the Ministry of Lands and Survey to provide land in Brass for the construction of a naval jetty, to enable relocation of five warships to Bayelsa, as the move would assist in protecting offshore resources and ensure prompt response to security threats.
Also, the governor directed the same ministry to immediately make land available for the construction of the Nigerian Navy Referral Hospital at Elebele.
While reacting to remarks of the Commander, OPDS, Rear Admiral Oladipo, he described the JTF as a stabilising task force that has helped to achieve lasting security and increased oil production in the Niger Delta region.
“The history of the Joint Task Force is well known to us. For us in Bayelsa, it was a stabilising task force that came in when security and oil production were under threat.
“Today, the story is different. Oil production, which was declining, has started increasing, and you are doing well by working with the people and the government.
“Bayelsa is the nerve centre of the oil and gas industry, where oil was first struck in commercial quantity and made Nigeria an oil-producing country. It is no coincidence that the JTF headquarters is located here.”
Also, responding to the NAF AOC Mobility Command, AVM Michael Onyebashi, Diri promised to look into the command’s requests for more operational vehicles, furnishing of its primary schools among others with a view to addressing them.
In separate remarks, Gen. Okoro thanked the governor for supporting the Army, particularly the 16 Brigade, and attributed its operational successes to cooperation among the military, other security agencies, the state government and local communities.
The GOC pledged to sustain the existing partnership with the government, traditional institutions, community leaders, and other stakeholders to maintain peace and protect critical national assets.
Also speaking, the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, commended the governor for the monumental development achieved under his administration.
The Naval Chief, who disclosed that he had 11 warships under his command, said the ships were currently stationed in Delta and Rivers states because Bayelsa does not have a port to host them.
Also, the JTF Commander, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, attributed increased oil production in the Niger Delta to improved security, noting that Nigeria exceeded its OPEC quota for the first time in over five years.
He also revealed that the command’s mediation centre resolved over 300 cases in the preceding month, urging oil operators and host communities to seek peaceful resolutions rather than disrupt production.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, Oladipo projected that national oil production could surpass three million barrels per day by next year.
