WARRI — GOVERNOR James Ibori of Delta State has identified lack of logistics and operational gadgets for the Navy and other security personnel involved in the operations of the Joint Security Task Force, Operation Restore Hope, as reasons for the slow pace of ridding the Delta creeks and waterways of criminals and pirates.
According to him, though the Task Force has lived up to the challenges in the last two years, the Nigerian Navy, Army and Air Force operating in the region could have done better with proper mobilization and equipping by the Federal Government.
Governor James Ibori, represented by his Deputy, Chief Benjamin Elue, during a call on him in Warri by members of the Senate Committee on Navy, said in the last few years of the Navy's existence in the state, the state has been left to carry the burden of mobilization and logistics of their operations.
He said “like every other Federal establishment, we find it very worrisome that the state is the one funding federal agencies in the state. We have been carrying these burdens of mobilisation and equipping them. Now the Nigerian Navy does not have enough equipment and operational gadgets to patrol the waterways.” Even in the face of the nation’s difficulties of protecting oil and gas investments, they are all equipped to police these areas of our economy.
“They don't have anything and we are all waiting for all the federal government promises of some flat boats to help in navigating the creeks and where problems with the major oil installations are located. Nobody can track down the pirates, bunkerers and vandals without the Navy. It is not too much for the Navy to be provided with an helicopter for good surveillance in tracking down criminals who want to steal our oil. It is a serious deficiency on the part of the federal government not to provide enough logistics, equipment and manpower.”
He, however, called on the National Assembly to rectify the trend by ensuring that enough fund is appropriated for the Navy and other arms of security force to assist in their operations within the Niger-Delta region.
On the successes recorded by his administration in the search for peace among different groups in Warri and its environs, the Delta State Governor explained that though it is an on-going process, the state government has separated the various issues involved and started solving them in order of importance.
“Because we know that the issue of oil is big enough problem. There is the problem of degradation. Problem of perceived marginalization. That is why we have been appealing to oil companies over the years to help develop the area to make people feel part of the oil companies. I am glad they are doing this through the physical development of the area.
“Due to this marginalization", he added, “people start agitation and they call it restiveness. It is a real pathetic situation. It is all a reaction to a devastated environment and neglect.
