Fubara pledges sustained partnership with Army to tackle economic sabotage

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Tuesday, pledged that his administration would deepen its partnership with the Nigerian Army to protect critical national assets and curb economic sabotage in the state.

The governor gave the assurance while receiving the General Officer Commanding, 6th Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Everest Okoro, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The GOC was accompanied by senior military officers and other security personnel of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army. The division has jurisdiction over Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, and made available to journalists.

Welcoming the newly deployed GOC to Rivers State, described as the Treasure Base of the Nation, Fubara noted that the partnership between the Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Army predated his administration and had been critical during challenging periods.

“The Rivers State Government didn’t start this partnership today. It is a system that has been existing. As a matter of fact, I know the wonderful relationship that the immediate past administration enjoyed with the Nigerian Army. In most of our critical times, the Nigerian Army has always been there to give us the necessary support,” he said.

Fubara assured the GOC that his administration would not be different, saying the state government would give him all the support required to succeed in his new assignment.

He stressed that current security realities demanded joint action to protect critical national assets, particularly oil and gas infrastructure, from vandals.

“We understand the kind of trying times that we are already in; it is not a time where you can do it on your own. It is a time when all the units and the stakeholders must come together and join hands to make sure that we protect our valuable assets from these criminals that have decided that their only stock in trade will be to vandalise and destroy critical national assets and make the state and the nation suffer,” Fubara said.

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He clarified that the relationship between the state government and the military went beyond mere collaboration, stressing that it was a partnership.

“The Rivers State Government will partner with you as the General Officer Commanding the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army. We’ll also partner with every other sister agency who work with you — the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy — to make sure that we succeed as a team,” the governor declared.

Fubara urged the GOC to prioritise the protection of Rivers, noting the strategic importance of the state to the nation’s economy. He prayed for a successful tenure for the GOC and reaffirmed the state’s support for him and his troops across the various units and formations in the Niger Delta region.

In his remarks, Okoro assured that the division would sustain its efforts to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure in Rivers State. “We shall continue to ensure the pursuit of operational effectiveness and ensure seamless joint and multi-agency collaboration for my troops. I can guarantee you that we will continue to maintain the utmost level of professionalism in the discharge of our constitutional responsibility,” he assured.

He expressed appreciation to Fubara, the Rivers State Government and the people of the state for their continued support for the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, while calling for sustained partnership.

“I wish to most sincerely appreciate the government and the people of Rivers State for the continued support to the Nigerian Army as well as other security agencies.

“I respectfully look forward to the sustenance of this collaboration, particularly through enhanced information and intelligence sharing, community engagement and other forms of support that will facilitate the effective discharge of our responsibilities,” he said.

He pledged that under his command, the 6th Division would remain focused on its mandate of securing the state and enabling socio-economic development.

“Let me assure His Excellency that, under my command, the Division will remain dedicated to protecting lives and property, safeguarding critical national infrastructure and supporting the civil authority in creating the enabling environment for our people to thrive,” the GOC stated.