Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has called for the deployment of more security personnel to tackle sea privacy and other forms of criminality along the waterways in the state.
The Governor explained that a formidable security network will not only safeguard the lives and property of citizenry, but will encourage investors to settle in the Niger Delta region.
Governor Emmanuel who spoke during a visit by the General Officer Commanding, Six Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, said the state has the longest shoreline in the country.
“We want to appeal for the deployment of more resources here because the state government does not have that much any longer, gone are the days when state governments in this region use to be buoyant.
“We want to appeal that we need more support especially along our waterways, because of the investors that are coming into this region and for the benefit of the country at large not just for the benefit of one state.
“Fortunately for us, we are the state with the longest shoreline in the country, so we call for a whole lot of collaboration and be rest assured that we will do a whole lot that we can, please see us as your primary responsibility since you are resident in Port Harcourt, you are likely to concentrate more at your residence, but please give us attention here too.”
The Governor commended the selfless services of operatives of the Nigerian Army in safeguarding citizens, and urged the security agencies to forge a common front to address security challenges in the region.
Earlier, General Officer Commanding, Six Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major General Sani Gambo, explained that his visit to the state was in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, for collaboration with all stakeholders to enhance the general security across the country.
“I want to seize this opportunity to bring the goodwill message from the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru. He has asked me to convey this message to you and the good people of the state.
“This visit is in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff. As the Army General he has troops they are professionally trained in order to defeat all vices in a joint environment, the main focus there is to operate in a joint environment and that joint environment encompasses all stakeholders.”