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.
According to the statement signed by the Chief
Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi said 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 on 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.