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Wike to buy more gunboats for Navy, demands arrest of bunkerers

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Governor Nyesom Wike who just returned triumphantly to Rivers State from Benin where he defeated his usual opponent, Adam Oshiomole and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Saturday election, is about to procure more gunboats to the Navy.

He has however urged the marine fighters to put a stop to oil theft and bunkering that have put his state and the Niger Delta in great peril and in a soot situation. The governor spoke on Monday, September 21, 2020, when participants of Naval Warfare College Course Four paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt .

Wike stated: “We are also procuring more gunboats for the Navy to fight pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering in the State.” He said his administration has given necessary support to security agencies particularly the Nigerian Navy by providing six gunboats to secure the waterways.

“The issue of security should not be politicized as crime and criminality is not synonymous to a particular state.

The governor said those who sabotage government’s effort to eliminate oil bunkering should be brought to justice. He noted that oil bunkering which affects the socio-economic development of the country should not be allowed to thrive.

“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, Adeseye Oke Ayobanjo, a Rear Admiral, commended Gov 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.

 

 

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