Gov Fubara pledges support for crude oil production increase

– Assures of synergy against oil theft

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged his administration’s total support for the Federal Government’s efforts to increase crude oil production.

The governor also revealed that against orchestrated sabotage by disgruntled elements to frustrate the fight initiated by his administration to tackle illegal bunkering in the State, formidable successes have been recorded.

Fubara expressed delight that the success will further be sustained, given the commendable interest shown by the Presidency in the constitution of the Niger Delta Monitoring Team, and tasked with the mandate to curb oil theft and illegal refining of crude oil in the entire region.

He spoke when he received the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led a delegation of the Joint Federal Government Team on Security of National Assets on courtesy visit to Government House in Port Harcourt.

The Governor said saboteurs were not only attempting to disrupt the course of delivery of critical projects and good governance but extended it to create disaffection within the thriving business climate because they do not want to see anything good reckoned with his administration.

According to him, he is not deterred by those acts because of his stronger determination to rewrite the story and ensure that Rivers people get the best, while the national economy does not suffer by what happens in the State.

He said, “I can say here boldly that before this time, we’ve had a very wonderful working relationship with the Service Commanders here. And in Rivers State, we have done so much in the aspect of combating illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

“And, you can imagine what has just happened now. When the Federal Government is now being part of it, through the different headquarters of the (military) service arm, to complement what we are doing. I can assure you that it is going to be a total success.”

The Governor also explained the drastic decision that he has taken to curb incidences of piracy at some sea routes in the State.

“You mentioned something, the issue of sea pirates. That is even one of the problems I am having today. Because of what we are doing through the Navy and the Air Force, which are also supporting us, they’ve all entered into the waterways now.

“The waterways around Bonny Local Government Area are the tracks they operate now; kidnapping of innocent people who are coming from Bonny Island to Port Harcourt or some of them on their way from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island.

“As we are talking now, we have already started doing something. Myself and the Office of the Secretary of the State Government, have already directed them to acquire six gun boats, so we can handover some of them to the Navy, so that they can cover some areas of interest.”

Governor Fubara restated his resolve to ensure that everything goes on well by providing the needed State Government’s support that will contribute to increasing crude oil production.

He added: “I can assure you that we will give all the necessary support to the committee to make sure that they succeed.

“Let me, on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State, assure the Chief of Defence Staff that our collaboration in supporting the course of the Federal Government to ensure that (crude oil) production line increases by next year is a task that must be done, and Rivers State will be part of it to make it succeed,” he assured.

Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said his visit was two-fold; first, to assess the level of implementation of their directives towards achieving the mandate of Mr. President in securing the oil producing areas, ensure that crude oil production increases.

The second reason, he said, was to inaugurate the two committees: the Defense Joint Monitoring Team and the Defense Joint Intelligence Infusion Centre.

He said, “Now, why we have these two is to enhance the work we already have been doing on ground. We have observed over time that there are gaps in the activities ongoing, and for us to be able to achieve the mandate of the Commander-in-Chief and President of Nigeria, we have to do things differently.

“And firstly, what we did was that with the Operation Delta Safe, we made sure that all the security forces and other agencies are working together under the Joint Task Force.

“They have their company Commanders and personnel, and whatever that is being done, we are doing it together in unison. We understand that synergy is very crucial to our success, and that is the first thing that we did.

“And secondly, the Monitoring Team and the Infusion Centre. The Monitoring Team is to also go round and see where they are gaps to be able to direct the operations so that they can be able to see that things are covered.”

General Musa added the Infusion Centre is task to also harmonize all the intelligence agencies together, gather all the information, whether it deals with oil production or other acts of criminality that will help in taking direct action to ensure that there is peace.

The Chief of Defence Staff also expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for creating an enabling environment with his sterling leadership style, noting that there ha been zero rancor which has engendered peace and security as seen in Rivers State.