By Sam Akanimo
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has pledged to scale-up his administration’s partnership with the military. Governor Oborevwori made the pledge while playing host to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, in Asaba, the state capital. He assured the army chief of sustained partnership with the military and other security agencies for effective security and socio-economic development of the state.
He also reiterated the state government’s support for security agencies in the state, While approving the construction of internal roads at the 6 Brigade Headquarters, Asaba, he noted that the army has been playing a significant role in the security architecture of the country. Ccommending the army for their high level of restraint and professionalism over the Okuama 17, Oborevwori expressed appreciation to the military high command for withdrawing soldiers from the troubled community.
Governor Oborevwori said: “It is not in our character to take somebody’s life not to talk of security officers. Once again, we commiserate with the Nigerian Army and the families of the slain officers. “As a government, we will continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Army for effective security in line with our MORE Agenda which is to enhance peace and security”.
The Army has played a very big role. We are lucky as a state to have three different battalions: 3, 90 and 181 battalions, and even a Brigade , I remember in those days when we were under the 4 Brigade in Benin which was under 2 Division in Ibadan; so, I know the formation as at that time. Now we have our own close to us in Rivers State here.
“I have promised Deltans to ensure that they have peace and with the Army and other security agencies, there is no way we cannot have peace. As an oil producing state, the pipeline has to be secured. This will encourage investors.” On the issue of land, the governor said the Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, was ready, adding that the 56.35 hectares was gifted to the Amphibian Battalion of the Nigerian Army by a registered trustee of Iweroko and Ameren in Koko.
He pointed out that they needed the C of O which was having a cost implication of about N598 million for assessment and N14 million for ground rent as at that time which, according to him, was huge for Nigerian Army to pay, saying that the state government had given them a waiver.
I mandated the Commissioner for Lands to make sure that the C of O was ready. So, you are going home with it today,” Oborevwori said. He assured the Army that the road in the Brigade Command would be awarded by next month by the grace of God.
Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdulsalam earlier in his remarks had thanked the governor and the Registered Trustees of the Iweroko and Ameren (Ugogomeje) Family Trust of Koko for presenting the Nigerian Army with the parcel of land measuring 56.35 hectares for the construction of army barracks in Koko.
The GOC told Governor Oborevwori that he was in the state to thank the Delta State Government for all the support and cooperation the Army had received over the years. Abdulsalam also lauded Governor Oborevwori for his deft diplomacy, strategic role and cooperation in resolving the unfortunate Okuama incident, assuring that the army would continue to discharge its responsibilities of ensuring effective security in the state and across the Niger Delta with utmost professionalism.
He solicited the support of the State Government in the construction of internal roads and the building of more structures at the Army barracks in Asaba and Koko.
