Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff until Friday afternoon?s change of service chiefs by President Bola Ahmed Tunubu, has commissioned the nine state-of-the-art strategic security projects executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in Ayakoro, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The former Navy Chief, represented by the Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Noel Madugu, stated that the operational facilities handed over by NDDC would bolster the Nigerian Navy's presence and security operations.

He observed that Ayakoro was an important town located on the river, making it strategic and crucial for maritime security in the Niger Delta region.

He stated: ?The event we are witnessing today is a statement of the existing close collaboration between the NDDC and the Nigerian Navy, which is geared towards addressing maritime security challenges in the region.

?I commend the vision and commitment of the leadership of the NDDC for citing the security project at Ayakoro with a view of addressing security challenges associated with the maritime environment in the region.?

?The Navy will spare no effort to ensure that objectives for which the security projects are provided will be fully realised.?

He solicited community support in intelligence sharing to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri, stated that the Niger Delta region contributes substantially to Nigeria?s foreign exchange earnings, noting that it was evident that most of Nigeria?s maritime domain and international coastline outside of Lagos, all of which are within the Gulf of Guinea, are in the coast of the Niger Delta.

Governor Diri, represented by Brigadier General Eric Angaye (Rtd.), stated that the Niger Delta region was critical to Nigeria's oil economy.

In his speech, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, emphasised that security and development are interconnected and that a strong partnership with security agencies was crucial for sustainable development in the region.

Ogbuku reiterated the NDDC's commitment to supporting security agencies in securing the waterways. He noted that the increased output of Nigeria?s crude oil was dependent on a secure marine environment, which required sustained collaboration with security forces.

He said that the NDDC has a history of providing infrastructure and other forms of support to the Nigerian Navy, including: including Building jetties for naval operations, Constructing schools and other infrastructure within naval bases and Assisting in the completion of numerous other projects at naval installations.

The Managing Director emphasised the need for collaboration to ensure that the Niger Delta region remained peaceful, noting that development could only take place in an atmosphere of peace and security.

He stated: "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to the peace and development of the Niger Delta region, and he has given us a matching order to embark on legacy projects that will stand the test of time and impact lives in the region. We cannot achieve this if there is no peace.?

?For us in NDDC, we will continue to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure that there is sustainable peace that will usher in development.?

Ogbuku stated that under the leadership of the current Board and Management, the Commission has demonstrated a commitment to achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, who is concerned about the development of the Niger Delta region.

Giving a brief overview of the projects, the NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Dr Victor Antai, listed the various projects scheduled for commissioning. ?They are: fully Furnished Administrative block; Fully Furnished Accommodation block; Fully furnished 40-man houseboat with two units of 100kva Generators; two units of Gun Boats powered by 200 Hp units of Yamaha engines each; The host to God community, Ayakoro, will give the Nigerian Navy hectares of land as a gift to build a Navy school; A 60kVA Solar inverter installed in the Administrative and Accommodation blocks, respectively, as backup power; A 30kVA Solar inverter installed in the 40-man houseboats as backup power; A full-option Toyota Hilux Vehicle for Operational use; A Newly Built Operational Floating Jetty.?

He said the initiative aims to enhance maritime security in the region, addressing critical needs and ensuring the safety of both local communities and maritime activities. The NDDC remains committed to making a difference in the Niger Delta, fostering a more secure and sustainable environment.

The Acting Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro, Chief Micah Etebi, affirmed that the projects handed over to the Navy were testaments that the NDDC is impacting the people of the Niger Delta region.

?PHOTO, L-R: The Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Aliyu Ahmad Gaya; the Joint Task Force Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Noel Madugu; the NDDC Managing, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Brigadier Gen. Eric Angaye (Rtd.); the Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere; the NDDC, Executive Director Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the NDDC, Executive Director Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, during the unveiling of operational facilities for the Navy in Ayakoro, Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa State.

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