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More Synergy’ll Win Fight Against Oil Theft, Fubara Tells CDS …Promises Six Gun Boats To Tackle Sea Piracy
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that against orchestrated sabotage by disgruntled elements to frustrate the fight initiated by his administration to tackle illegal bunkering in the State, formidable successes have been recorded, undoubtedly.
The Governor expressed delight that the success will further be sustained, given the commendable interest shown by the Presidency that has constituted the Niger Delta Monitoring Team, and tasked with the mandate to curb oil theft and illegal refining of crude oil in the entire region.
Governor Fubara spoke when he received the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led a delegation of the Joint Federal Government Team on Security of National Assets on courtesy visit to Government House in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The Governor said those saboteurs are not only attempting to disrupt the course of delivery of critical projects and good governance but extended it to create disaffection within the thriving business climate because they do not want to see anything good reckoned with his administration.
But Governor Fubara stated that he is not deterred by those acts because there is a stronger determination to rewrite the story and ensure that Rivers people get the best while the national economy does not suffer by what happens in the State.
Governor Fubara said: “You know what they say, everything might not be God’s wish, but everything worketh for God’s desire.
“We are faced with a situation where the little that we are doing here are being sabotaged by some persons who do not want to see any good in what we are doing.
“This is not just in the aspect of governance, but also in the aspect of economic activities of this country. And, one way or the other, this particular moment has created an opportunity for us to rewrite those stories.”
Governor Fubara emphasised: “I can say here boldly that before this time, we’ve had a very wonderful working relationship with the Service Commanders here. And in Rivers State, we have done so much in the aspect of combating illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalisation.
“And, you can imagine what has just happened now. When the Federal Government is now being part of it, through the different headquarters of the (military) service arm, to complement what we are doing. I can assure you that it is going to be a total success.”
Governor Fubara stated his confidence in the calibre of members of the Team and how professional the Chief of Defence Staff has conducted their operations.
The Governor also explained that he did not appoint Henry Wordu into the team merely because he knows him, but because of his interest to defend the State and Nigeria.
He said: “It is very important, some persons may chose people because they are their relations; they are their friends, no. We need to look at people who can represent us well. He is a man who has shown so much concern, interest in the affairs of our State. So, I have no doubt that he will bring honour to us.”
The Governor also explained the drastic decision that has been taken to curb incidences of piracy at some sea routes in the State.
Governor Fubara also said: “You mentioned something, the issue of sea pirates. That is even one of the problems I am having today.
“Because of what we are doing through the Navy and the Air Force, which are also supporting us, they’ve all entered into the waterways now.
“The waterways around Bonny Local Government Area are the tracks they operate now; kidnapping of innocent people who are coming from Bonny Island to Port Harcourt or some of them on their way from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island.
“As we are talking now, we have already started doing something. Myself and the Office of the Secretary of the State Government, have already directed them to acquire six gun boats, so we can handover some of them to the Navy, so that they can cover some areas of interest.”
Governor Fubara restated his resolve to ensure that everything goes on well by providing the needed State Government’s support that will contribute to increasing crude oil production.
He added: “I can assure you that we will give all the necessary support to the committee to make sure that they succeed.
“Let me, on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State, assure the Chief of Defence Staff that our collaboration in supporting the course of the Federal Government to ensure that (crude oil) production line increases by next year is a task that must be done, and Rivers State will be part of it to make it succeed,” he added.
In his speech, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said his visit is two-fold: first, is to assess the level of implementation of their directives towards achieving the mandate of Mr President in securing the oil producing areas, ensure that crude oil production increases.
The second reason, he said, is to inaugurate the two committees: the Defense Joint Monitoring Team and the Defense Joint Intelligence Infusion Centre.
General Musa explained: “Now, why we have these two is to enhance the work we already have been doing on ground. We have observed over time that there are gaps in the activities ongoing, and for us to be able to achieve the mandate of the Commander-in-Chief and President of Nigeria, we have to do things differently.
“And firstly, what we did was that with the Operation Delta Safe (ODS), we made sure that all the security forces and other agencies are working together under the Joint Task Force.
“They have their company Commanders and personnel, and whatever that is being done, we are doing it together in unison. We understand that synergy is very crucial to our success, and that is the first thing that we did.
“And secondly, the Monitoring Team and the Infusion Centre. The Monitoring Team is to also go round and see where they are gaps to be able to direct the operations so that they can be able to see that things are covered.”
General Musa added the Infusion Centre is task to also harmonize all the intelligence agencies together, gather all the information, whether it deals with oil production or other acts of criminality that will help in taking direct action to ensure that there is peace.
The Chief of Defence Staff also expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for creating an enabling environment with his sterling leadership style.
He noted that there is zero rancor which has engendered peace and security as seen in Rivers State.
He said, “We want to say a very big thank you, and to continue to show and assure you that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are fully with you to ensure that Rivers State, indeed, is peaceful and progressive. We want to also appreciate you for the support directly to the members of the Armed Forces.”
He added that the peaceful atmosphere created by the government has enabled members of the Armed Forces in the State to perform their operations and other activities unhindered, and urged the Governor to continue to show leadership by sustaining peace and advancing the development of the State.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the modernised fire-fighting units with new buildings, necessary machinery, materials and equipment will strengthen the emergency response capability of personnel to fire incidences in the State.
The Governor pointed to how the provision will drastically reduce, if not eliminate, the vulnerability of Rivers population to fire disasters, as according to him, there will be timely assistance to victims to reduce damage and bolster conditions for sustainable development.
Governor Fubara, who gave the assurance while inaugurating the Rivers State Fire Service Headquarters Station, located by Isaac Boro Park Flyover, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, yesterday, said the gesture serves as a consolidation of the promise made, in line with his vision of governance: to provide quality service to the good people of Rivers State.
He explained that some years ago, the State was at the mercy of the multi-nationals that had functional fire trucks to respond to most fire incidences, and pointed to setbacks that greeted some emergencies, adding that the records of losses to fire incidences were colossal.
Governor Fubara said: “We lost the Mile One Market because we couldn’t respond adequately. We lost, even what we call, the Fruit Garden Market because we could not respond. Are we talking about houses, lives that have been lost in this State because of inadequate fire service?”
The Governor insisted that the purpose of governance is to provide such quality social services, protect lives and property, and make living comfortable for the people, asserting that his administration has not failed in those regards, and has continued to intensify the provision of services that have made Rivers people happy.
He said, “And, what we are doing today is to tell the good people of Rivers State, and to showcase to the world, that there is governance in this State. Not governance for the sake of governance, but governance that is purpose-driven, governance that is interested in projects that will change the lives of our people.
“Some days ago, a tanker fell along the Woji-Elelenwo Road. If it were before, lives would have been lost. But immediately, the fire service, not the multi-nationals, it was the Rivers State Fire Service that responded and arrested the situation. What else are we talking about?”
Governor Fubara said Rivers people are very happy with the consistent delivery of infrastructure projects that address the critical problems experienced by the people in the larger society, emphasising that he believed strongly that even if some persons are indulged in clandestine activities, and determined to discredit his administration, Rivers people are happy, indisputably so.
He explained, “We are not interested whether those people who are commissioned to undermine us are unhappy, that is not our business. Our business is about Rivers State and Rivers people. So, like the Commissioner said, we did not just do this for the sake of glamour. You come here, you see a painted house, every facility that is required in a well-built fire fighting facility, is all in this place.”
Governor Fubara said further: “You can image a government that has a fire service and the firemen are not working. It is only at the end of the month you pay them their salaries. You can see that they were not happy and unproductive. But today, they are happy because they have a big responsibility now ahead of them: to ensure that lives and property of the good people of Rivers State are adequately protected. So, I want to thank you for this particular spirit at this moment.”
Governor Fubara commended the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Sam Anya, for driving the process to conclusion, and the contractor for delivering the project on schedule, and assured that his administration will continue to ensure the protection of lives and property while defending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Governor Fubara also told Rivers people to expect the provision of more basic amenities, unbiasedly, and advised those in charge of the firefighting equipment to safeguard and protect them so that they can serve their purpose maximally.
Providing the project description, Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Samuel Anya, explained that since the first fire service station was built in the 1960s, this was the first time the facility is being remodeled and upgraded, emphasising that certain features were introduced and added to make the station comparable to fire service stations nationally.
He stated: “We have gym, sick-bay, offices and state-of-the-art equipment that we will use to combat fire. Your Excellency, we have also, new fire trucks that you have acquired. Before now, we did not have any truck, and when incidents happen, we have to call the Federal Fire Service or call Agip or Shell Fire Service. But thank God that His Excellency, in his wisdom, has given us state-of-the-art facility, and we don’t need to call any other person again.”
In his address, Head of Local Government Administration, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Mr. Clifford Paul, said Governor Fubara has turned the once dilapidated fire service station and its equipment into a modern masterpiece, which represents a significant milestone in the collective commitment towards tackling fire incidences.
Mr Paul stated that it will certainly enhance the capacity of personnel and reinforce their preparedness to respond to emergencies in the event of fire outbreaks.
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone has expressed deep concern over the current tense political situation in Rivers State, following the recent Supreme Court judgment nullifying the election of local government council chairmen.
In a press statement signed by the Chairman, IYC, Eastern Zone, Comrade Prince Datolu Sukubo; Secretary, Tamunokuro Dango and the Information Officer, Ambassador Odia Igbikis made available to The Tide yesterday, the group also stated that the decision has created an environment ripe for manipulation by those who do not have the best interest of Rivers State or the Ijaw Nation at heart.
“We are aware of alarming plans by certain elements to destabilise Rivers State and undermine the mandate given to our elected officials. The purported 48-hour ultimatum issued to the Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, by the defected Martins Amawhule-led House of Assembly to present the 2025 budget is a clear indication of an orchestrated effort to create chaos and potentially impeach the governor. This is not only an attack on our leadership but also an affront to the will of the Rivers people who have entrusted their governance to one of our own. The IYC firmly warns that they will not stand by and allow detractors to steal this mandate. We are committed to defending your rights and ensuring that the voices of the Ijaw people are heard and respected,” the statement said.
They also used the medium to call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Security Adviser to intervene immediately and halt the ongoing madness that threatens to plunge Rivers State into an avoidable crisis. Such instability could have severe repercussions, not only for our state’s governance but also for crude oil production and energy security, which are vital to the national economy. It is crucial that we work together to maintain peace and stability in Rivers State. We urge all stakeholders to prioritise dialogue and collaboration over conflict. Let us not allow the ambitions of a few to jeopardize the future of our state and its people which will further endanger the economy of this country, because any attempt to stop Rivers State Allocation which will cause hardships to innocent civil servants and also reduce the speedy developmental projects implementation by the Rivers State government will definitely have negative effect on the economy of this country, as Ijaw people we will not fold our hands and allow the continued political marginalisation of our own.”
Kiadum Edookor