Headlinenews.news reports that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State affirmed the state’s unwavering commitment to assisting the Nigerian Navy in its mission to combat criminal activities, particularly oil theft, in the waterways. Speaking during a meeting with Chief of Naval Staff Emmanuel Ogalla and senior naval officials at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara highlighted the pressing national challenges, emphasizing the paramount importance of addressing insecurity and criminality to safeguard the country’s economy.
In a statement released by Nelson Chukwudi, the chief press secretary to Governor Fubara, the governor emphasized the pivotal role played by the state government in supporting the Nigerian Navy’s operations against oil theft. Governor Fubara expressed satisfaction with the collaborative efforts between the state government, local communities, and the Navy, underscoring the importance of sustained cooperation for successful operations.
Governor Fubara reiterated the state’s commitment to providing continued support to the Nigerian Navy and vowed to discourage any actions detrimental to the state’s economy. He commended the Chief of Naval Staff for acknowledging the achievements of the Navy’s operations, particularly in Rivers State, and pledged ongoing support to combat oil theft and other criminal activities.
During the meeting, Chief of Naval Staff Ogalla expressed gratitude for the support received from the Rivers State Government and highlighted the Navy’s accomplishments in the region. He thanked the state government for its donation of two model schools for Navy personnel training and announced the upcoming graduation of civilian trainees at the Navy Basic Training School in Onne.
Chief of Naval Staff Ogalla disclosed plans to relocate the Navy’s training command headquarters to Rivers State and outlined the Navy’s successes, including the arrest of over 14 crude oil vessels and various entities involved in oil theft within a four-month period. He emphasized the Navy’s commitment to addressing maritime security challenges and applauded the collaborative efforts between the Navy and the state government in achieving these objectives.
