Army gets gun boats to fight oil theft in Niger Delta

The General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Adebayor Olaniyi, said on Friday in Calabar, Cross River State that the army has acquired gun boats to fight oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
Olaniyi said this while inaugurating five projects at the 13 Brigade Command, Calabar.
He said that oil was the major revenue source for the country and stressed the need to preserve it for economic growth of the country.
He said: “Officers of the Nigerian Army are very alert on the waterways.
“If anybody is caught stealing the country’s oil, he or she will face the law no matter how highly placed the person may be.”
Olaniyi expressed delight at the programme, adding that the commissioning of the projects in the command would enhance operations and welfare of personnel.
The projects included mini-supermarket, warrant officers’ mess, lawn tennis court, colonial block and transit accommodation.
He commended the commander of the brigade, Brigadier General Okwudili Azinta, for the successful completion of the projects within six months of assuming office.
He said: “I am very happy to have the likes of Brigadier General Azinta in my team.
“Working with him in this capacity is highly appreciated.”
He charged officers at the command to emulate Azinta with a view to adding their contributions and values towards the development of the command.
Olaniyi later told the News Agency of Nigeria that most of the structures renovated and commissioned were built in 1904.
He charged the officers to exhibit good maintenance culture to sustain the projects.
Also speaking, Azinta expressed happiness at the projects.
The commander said the army needed such recreational facilities to keep fit and strong for the job.
He charged officers of the command to make good use of the facilities provided for them, adding that a good maintenance culture would help to sustain the projects.
The Security Adviser to Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Rekpene Bassey, said that the state was working closely with the military to ensure safety of residents, investors and tourists.
“The state security department is working closely with all the security agencies in the state to ensure protection of lives and property,” Bassey said.
He commended the army authorities for executing the projects, noting that the army deserved such recreational facilities.
He said: “Everybody needs security.
“We cannot do business without security.
“So there is need to work with the security agencies in the state to ensure adequate security of lives and property.”