Nigerian Navy hails NDDC Over New security projects to tackle Maritime crimes in Niger Delta

By Inegbagha Majesty 

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has been lauded for the inauguration of a new strategic Naval location at Ayakoro, Bayelsa state to tackle oil theft,  and other Maritime crimes in the Niger Delta region.

The former Chief of Naval  Staff, Vice-Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla made the commendation on Friday at Ayakoro while commissioning nine NDDC state-of-the-art strategic security projects  handed over to the Navy.

Vice-Admiral Ikechukwu who was represented by Rear Admiral Noel Madugu observed that Ayakoro was an important town located on the river, making it strategic and crucial for maritime security in the  region.

He maintained that “The event we are witnessing today is a testament 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.”

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

He thanked the Ayakoro Community for generously donating many hectares of land to the Nigerian Navy for establishing a Navy school, and expressed gratitude to the state government for its ongoing support.

He implored for community support in intelligence sharing to boost the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy.

The Governor of  Bayelsa State, Senator Duoye Diri,  in his speech, asserted 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.

He extolled NDDC for its plenty developmental projects across the state, including the ongoing 750 bed-hostel project at the state -owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma.

He enjoined communities in the Niger Delta region to collaborate with and support security Agencies in protecting economic assets and investment.

Earlier in his opening speech, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku,  reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

 Ogbuku' emphasized that one of the primary responsibilities of any government is to ensure security and development, describing the two as inseparable pillars of national progress.

He observed that President Tinubu’s administration has provided crucial support and played a complementary role in enabling the NDDC to carry out projects such as the newly unveiled state-of-the-art Strategic Naval Location in Ayakoro.

He said, “This project represents part of the administration’s commitment to enhancing security in the Niger Delta. The President’s strategic investment in security has yielded tangible results — crude oil production has risen from one million barrels per day to 2.2 million barrels per day.

“Those are part of the legacies we want to leave behind. We have so many projects that we are going to commission after now, in commemoration of our second year anniversary as the seventh Governing Board of the NDDC.

“So, all this we’ve been able to achieve. But coming to this particular project, the Nigerian Navy is going to be the beneficiary of this project, but it is also going to benefit the citizens of Niger Delta and the community where the project is located, because the project is aimed at protecting and providing security for the waterways of the Niger Delta, because every waterway is a gateway for criminals to perpetrate crime, but not until we’re able to secure all our waterways we will not be able to curb criminality.

“This is also one of these points because this specific location was chosen by the Nigerian Navy due to its strategic position. From this junction, a creek extends towards Southern Ijaw, leading directly to Sangana. If this place had not been blocked in the past, kidnappers and those involved in illegal oil activities and artisanal refining would have used it to move their products, evacuating them through Onuebum.

“So this facility here helps prevent such criminal activities in the area. It also stops those intending to commit crimes in Yenagoa, such as kidnapping, by blocking their escape route. With this facility in place, they have no choice but to be deterred, and it also protects the entire stretch of this river," Ogbuku asserted.

Also,the NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Dr Victor Antai, gave over view ot the nine projects to include fully Furnished Administrative block; Fully Furnished Accommodation block; Fully furnished 40-man house boat with two units of 100kva Generators; two units of Gun Boats powered by 200 Hp units of Yamaha engines each; the host  community donations of 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; and 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.

In his remarks on behalf of the community, the Chairman of Ayakoro Council of Chiefs, Chief Pureaziba Clever Apkoti described the project as a testament to Ogbuku’s Exemplary visionary leadership, adding that " We are profoundly grateful to God Almighty and to Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku for his developmental milestone in the community.