15th August, 2015
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers has asserted that there cannot be any governance if there is no security.
Wike made this assertion today following a courtesy visit by the New Chief of Naval Staff and his entourage, at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
In his words: “Our government will always partner with security agencies in the state. We have always worked together, I mean, the navy, airforce, army and police. We have collaborated robustly to tackle the security challenges in Rivers State.”
The state chief executive commended the navy for managing to contain all maritime security challenges in Rivers state despite its limited logistic resources.
Governor Wike pledged a gift of new shipping vessels to the navy, stressing that, the assistance to be given to the Nigerian Navy is not negotiable.
The governor recalled that the immediate past administration usually recorded four or five cases of kidnapping per day, but since his administration assumed office in May, kidnapping cases have become very few.
He also stated that major military formations; army, navy and airforce were located in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where he served as Local Government Chairman for six years, thereby underscoring the importance of the said local government area.
The newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas thanked the governor for his support of the Nigerian Navy.
The Naval Chief noted that Rivers state had the second highest number of naval units in Nigeria, and this made it imperative to seek the support of Governor Wike’s administration.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, said, “We have the manpower, but lack the necessary equipment such as shipping vessels and other logistic support to do our job more effectively”, he stressed.
The Naval Chief maintained that investing in the Navy will enhance their effectiveness and ultimately lead to attraction of investors in the state.