Again, Dickson harps on dialogue in resolving Niger-Delta issue

Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has once again reiterated the need for the Nigerian military to adopt dialogue and consensus building in resolving the lingering security challenges in the oil rich Niger Delta region.

Dickson made the call when the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, Enobong Udoh and other top military officers paid him a courtesy call in Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday.

The governor also called for professionalism and integrity on the part of the security forces in the discharge of their duties while stressing that security would always receive priority attention in his administration, as it played a key role in providing enabling environment for investments and socio-economic activities to thrive.

He commended the Federal Government for the establishment of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to enhance security in its area of operations, which covers four states in the Niger Delta region.

The governor also commended the Chief of Army Staff and the military high command for the establishment of the 16th Brigade in Bayelsa, noting that of all the brigades that were established, the 16th Brigade was about the first to commence operations.

“I want to use this opportunity, to on behalf of the government and people of this state, pledge our willingness to continue to work with the security forces of our country particularly the military in the area of executing our joint and common responsibility and mandate for security.

“I run a government that takes our responsibility of providing security very seriously. This government has always worked with security agencies giving them support as much as we can. We have always mobilised the citizenry to support the security efforts because we believe and it is true that unless we have a secure and peaceful atmosphere, no meaningful development can take place,” he said.

In his remark, Enobong Udoh said he took over the command on January 13, this year and his visit to the state was part of his familiarisation tour to states under his command.

Udoh expressed appreciation to the state government for its assistance in the provision of logistics support, saying that as a GOC of 6th Division, his mandate was to actualise the vision of the Chief of Army Staff in the sustenance of peace and stability.

He used the opportunity to request the state government to provide parcels of land at Igbogene and Otuoke to build Nigerian Army permanent accommodation to enhance the operations of his division.