From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said the previous General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, undermined the importance of collaboration between critical stakeholders, especially the state government in addressing security challenges by refusing to work with his administration.
The governor emphasised that Rivers State, as the economic strength of Nigeria, places enormous tasks on those saddled with the responsibility of protecting critical national infrastructure to synergise on how to tackle real challenges to enable Nigeria effectively function as a nation.
He made the remark when received the GOC, 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Major-General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt yesterday.
He stressed the importance of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, as being saddled with a lot of responsibilities, including protecting all national assets within its jurisdiction.
The governor, however, noted that it was difficult to achieve the feat of protecting national assets without peace in the state.
He said: “I am really happy that you are here to do the ritual. Nothing very special. Coming here to see me doesn’t mean that we have any special relationship. It is normal, and that is the right thing to do. I need to say this so that, maybe, other persons can also understand.
“We have received the Chief of Army Staff. Very unfortunately, he had passed on. He came here for an assignment, and he visited us. But, you won’t believe that the outgone GOC did not come here for one day to see us, at least, not for anything, but to assure us that look, we have a common interest, and we are going to work together.
“Definitely, we are not going to ask him to do anything that is unprofessional, but to have this working relationship, because you need us to succeed, and we also need you to succeed.”
The governor noted that he appreciated the honour accorded his administration by the courtesy visit, and assured that he would provide support within the capacity of government to make sure that the GOC succeeded in his enormous task. He also extended appreciation to other officers in his entourage who have been working round the clock to address security challenges in crisis-ridden communities for peace and tranquility to return in the state
He said: “And, finally, I want to say that our task today is becoming gradually complicated because of the set of people that have chosen to become problem to this country. We have issues of pipeline vandalisation, destruction of gas and crude oil pipelines. And also, the worst part of it is that some persons who have decided to engineer community crisis in most areas of oil operations.
“So, please, while you’re taking that responsibility as part of your assignment, wherever we need to come in, endeavour to reach out to us, so that we can also apply our own mechanism, because when it comes to issues of chieftaincy, it is within our power.”
Governor Fubara insisted: “And when it comes to issues of community relationship, it is also within our power. So, we can join hands together to bring peace in those areas so that operations can also flow smoothly.”
In his speech, the army chief said recently, there was a change of baton across formations in the Nigerian Army, and he was posted to 6 Division as the General Officer Commanding.
He stated that having resumed duties on January 24, 2025, and taken over from his predecessor, who had been reassigned to Abuja, he decided to pay a courtesy visit to formally introduce himself to the Governor.
He said: “My visit here this afternoon is customary in the military, and I believe, in other organisations too, that when you assume Command, you pay courtesy visit to your hosts, political masters, traditional rulers and other stakeholders within your area of responsibility.
“And being the chief host of 6 Division, I deemed it very necessary to come here this afternoon to formally introduce myself to you. Also, to thank you for the enabling environment that you have given to the Army to operate in the state.
“And to say that the task of the Division is very easy. It is simple and straight, which is the protection of critical national infrastructure in the maritime and the oil domains, and also to ensure security in the South-South region. I pledge that we will give it our utmost attention to ensure that everything is done as expected.”