The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has charged the new State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command to effectively carry out the Corps mandate in the fight against Crude oil theft in the region.
He made this known while welcoming the Commandant to the Government House where the NSCDC Rivers State Commandant officially presented his letter of credence and intimated His Excellency on the need to collectively fight the menace of crude oil theft ro salvage the nation’s economy from saboteurs.
The NSCDC boss, Commandant Joachin Okafor who led a team of senior management staff officers of the command on the tour appreciated the Governor for the fatherly support and provision of the needed logistics to enhance the daily operations of the NSCDC in Rivers State.
In his words, the Commandant said, ” The NSCDC Commandant General Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has asked me to specially thank you for the smooth relationship and logistics support to the Command in the past as we pledge to work assiduously in tackling emerging security challenges and provide serene atmosphere for the good people of Rivers State to carry out their duties daily without fear or threats”.
“My vision and passion is to pursue the fulfillment of our Corps mandate without compromise, upon my assumption of duty we have kicked the ball rolling by effecting the arrests of 5 suspects through Marine operations at Tombia-Iwofe axis; 3 Boats laden with Illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were recovered as exhibits, another illegal bunkering site situated in an abandoned construction site at Igbo-Etche in Etche Local government area was uncovered with over 70 Tanks of raw Crude impounded; 7 drums of locally refined petroleum products were recovered at Obio/akpor LGA and a massive Barge laden with unqualified AGO was impounded and 2 suspects arrested; all within 7 days after taking over the command leadership as the 15th substantive State Commandant of the NSCDC in Rivers State”
In his response the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara lauded the NSCDC Commandant General for deploying an experienced and operational Commandant to the state noting that it is a timely deployment and that God has not made a mistake to bring the NSCDC commandant and therefore he must justify his existence through the fight against crude oil theft most especially as the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure of both federal and the state.
Gov. Fubara said, “Our duty is to support you in order to carry out your statutory duties effectively; this is because it impacts us positively. Crude oil theft affects the economy because the quantity of oil production determines the 13 percent oil derivation. I am happy with your achievements upon your assumption of duty; It shows you are serious and we will support you.”.
He further said, “Rivers State is a special place with its emerging challenges but the acts of environmental degradation and pollution through human activities which also contributes to climate change is a critical issue to be addressed. Your primary assignment is to tackle the menace of illegal oil bunkering as we have also promised Mr President to map out all strategies in combating illegal dealings in petroleum products in Rivers state”.
“Nigeria can only be free from the shackles of economic downturn if our daily production of crude oil increases; in the next 6months we might be in serious situation because there is no economic formula that can save us except we increase production by stopping vandalism of pipelines and stealing of crude oil; we have projected 2 million
barrel per day so you have to work very hard. God did not make a mistake sending you to Rivers state: therefore justify your corps mandate in the fight”.
The Rivers state Commandant, Joachin Okafor thanked the Governor for the warmth reception and pledged to synergize with other Sisters security agencies and respective stakeholders in gathering actionable Intelligence and information needed to fight all acts of economic sabotage against the government and the peaceful coexistence of the good people of the state.