Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has called on the Federal Government to go after those sabotaging government’s effort to eliminate oil bunkering and bring them to justice.
Addressing the participants of ‘Naval Warfare College Course Four’ who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, Gov. Wike noted that oil bunkering which affects the socio-economic development of the country should not be allowed to thrive.
In a release signed by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, Governor Wike confirmed his administration’s donation of six gunboats to the Nigerian Navy, this he said, was done for the Navy to secure the waterways.
“We are also procuring more gunboats for the Navy to fight pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering in the State.
“The issue of security should not be politicized as crime and criminality is not synonymous to a particular state.
“No Country or State can say that they do not have insecurity. Here in the State because we are working in synergy with security agencies, insecurity has reduced.
“Let me appeal that the efforts you put in to apprehend those who attack you personnel should also be applied to prosecute those who affect our economy,” he stated.
Governor Wike called on the Federal Government to implement the report that would be submitted at the end of the study tour .
He enjoined the participants to use their visit to see the developmental strides in the State.
“We are constructing five flyovers simultaneously. The Mother and Child Hospital is at furnishing stage and the Real Madrid Football Academy will soon open for academic activities,” he added.
Earlier, the Commandant Nigerian Naval War College, Rear Admiral Adeseye Oke Ayobanjo commended Governor Wike for hosting the course participants.
He said the theme of the Course is, “Curbing Pipeline Vandalism Towards Enhancing Socio-economic Development in Rivers State.”
“In choosing to carry out this study, we recognize that the Rivers State Government and other security agencies have been doing so much to curb the menace of pipeline vandalism.
“The participants of the War College will interact with the people and make recommendations to the Nigerian Navy for implementation,” he stated.
Commissioner for
September 21, 2020 Lou Lli
