Maritime Security: NDDC commissions Naval facility in Bayelsa community
By: Ungbuku Olaitari
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Friday, October 24, commissioned a state-of-the-art Naval facility in Ayakoro community, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The commissioning was part of the project executed fully and furnished administrative block, accommodation block, 40-man houseboat with 2 units of 100kVA generators, 2 units of gunboats powered by 200HP, and 2 units of Yamaha engines each.
The NDDC also provided 60kVA solar inverters installed in the administrative and accommodation blocks respectively as backup power.
It also provided 30kVA solar inverters installed in the 40-man houseboats as backup power.
The commission equally provided a fully-optioned Toyota Hilux vehicle for operational use, as well as a new operational floating jetty for the Navy in the community.
Speaking during the event, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the execution of the state-of-the-art Naval facility will help the Navy in the community to effectively carry out their security mandate.
He emphasized that there can be no development without security; hence he said NDDC has gone into a partnership with the security agencies in the Niger Delta.
He noted that under President Tinubu’s administration, the NDDC has strengthened that partnership by supporting security agencies in the region.
“The security agencies play a complementary role by ensuring that the peace we enjoy today in the region is sustained.
“They are the ones out there, making the sacrifice to ensure that we sleep peacefully, and for the fact that they have done the job very well, that is why today projects carried out by NDDC across the Niger Delta are springing up very fast.
“If not for their support, we wouldn’t have been able to carry out all the projects successfully.
“There was a time in the Niger Delta when contractors were even afraid of going to site due to the fear of militancy and criminals, but today the Niger Delta is one of the most peaceful areas in the country due to the active performance of security agencies in the Niger Delta.”
He noted that the decision to construct the naval location on the current site was strategic to curb criminal activities in the area.
He said, “This particular point is actually a location that was chosen by the Nigerian Navy because of its critical positioning. From this junction, there is a creek leading to Southern Ijaw and Sangana, and if this place is not blocked, it will be tough.
“In the past, kidnappers and illegal oil bunkers carried their products from here. So with this facility here, criminal activities will be taken care of.”
He added that the construction of the naval location in the community will also make it difficult for kidnappers in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, to escape easily using the river as an escape route.
He noted that the construction of the naval location is part of an investment in security by the commission to complement the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in ensuring peace in the Niger Delta.
Also speaking, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State lauded the project, saying that the facility will further ensure security and stability in the state.
Represented by the Chief Security Coordinator, Brigadier General Eric Angaye (rtd), the Governor urged traditional rulers, community youth leaders, and other stakeholders of the Navy to work in collaboration to ensure security.
He pledged that the state “will provide the necessary support to maximize the utility of the newly built facility and ensure it contributes meaningfully to the safety and prosperity of our people.”
The representative of the Chief of Naval Staff and Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Musa Noel Madugu, pointed out that the recent collaboration between the Navy and NDDC is geared towards curbing maritime security challenges in the oil-rich region.
He assured the NDDC, as well as the people of the community, that the Navy will do all it can to curb criminality and ensure the security of the Ayakoro environs.
“Let me, therefore, commend the leadership and vision of the Niger Delta Development Commission for siting these projects at Ayakoro with a view to addressing the security challenges associated with the endowed natural resources in the Niger Delta region.
“I want to assure the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Nigerian Navy through the Central Naval Command: the Navy will spare no effort to ensure that the objectives for which the projects were provided would be fully realized.
“I want to also assure the host community that the Nigerian Navy will work tirelessly towards enhancing the security of the lives and property of Ayakoro community and its environs,” he said.
The commissioning ceremony was graced by many dignitaries, including government top functionaries, traditional rulers, military officers, chiefs, women, and youths.
