From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Jamal Abdulssalam, has underscored the importance of creating an enabling environment for oil and gas business to thrive in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
He made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The GOC stated that 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), was established essentially to protect Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure and to deter militancy and criminality in the region.
He emphasised the importance of oil and gas to the Nigerian economy, adding that without security, exploration activities will be jeopardised.
Major General Abdulssalam said the Division under his watch will continue to ensure that oil production is sustained for the benefit of Nigeria.
He further stated that his visit was also to solicit support for the completion of the Nigerian Army Jetty at Effurun, Delta State.
The GOC restated that the jetty will enable the Nigerian Army to deploy critical assets that would assist in the effective patrol to secure water ways to deter criminals.
Major General Abdulssalam averred that securing the waterways will be a win-win situation for the Nigerian Army and, indeed, the local population and will above all fall rightly with the objective of sustainable development of NDDC in the region.
He also solicited intervention programmes across all the barracks in the Niger Delta region (NDR).
While responding to the GOC’s remarks, the MD/CEO of NDDC, Ogbuku, stated that the foundation of development is peace and security.
He said peace and development are intertwined, adding that peace is required for development to be sustained.
Ogbuku, therefore, appreciated the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for ensuring peace in the region.
He assured that the NDDC will address the issues raised by the GOC and treat them as a matter of urgency.