The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, has promised to assist the security agencies operating in the region.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer stated the need for the commission to collaborate with the security forces.
He said the collaboration is to ensure that the region remains peaceful, saying the a community is developed in a peaceful and secure environment.
“Development and security are intertwined because without security there will be no development, and where there is security and development there will be prosperity.
“For the Niger Delta to be peaceful, we need both development and security. Incidentally, the foundation for development is security; hence, there is a need for collaboration between the NDDC and security agencies.”
Ogbuku noted that NDDC had an obligation to support security agencies in securing and effectively discharging its mandate as an intervention agency during the courtesy visit of Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, the General Commanding Officer, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, and the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Okechukwu Igbo, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.
“We have always supported military formations and security agencies, and we are willing to do more. Last year, we did a lot for the Nigerian Navy. Our contributions are aimed at enhancing and supporting what you are doing here in the region and also complementing what we are doing in the area of development.
“I appreciate the security agencies for the job they are doing in the Niger Delta region because the region is relatively peaceful compared to other regions in the country. I thank the Navy for doing a good job and making sacrifices for our collective well-being.” Ogbuku obliged.
According to Pius Ughakpoteni, Director of Corporate Affairs, on Wednesday, Ogbuku urged the security agencies to be proactive and rely more on intelligence gathering to nip security challenges in the bud.
However, he added that supporting the security agencies also entailed engaging the youths in the region in various skills acquisition trainings that would aid them during employment.
Major General Jamal Abdulsalam reiterated that the development of the Niger Delta region could not take place without peace.
“We need each other to succeed. We want to cement the existing relationship between the NDDC and the Army.”
The commander applauded the NDDC for equipping the Army barracks in four states with solar-powered streetlights and also pleaded for more support in providing knacks in the barracks under the 6th Division.
“We provide security to oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta region. We cover the four states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta States, and we safeguard all oil and gas installations in the four states,” the major stated.
Also, Commodore Desmond Igbo complimented the NDDC for cooperating with security agencies working in the Niger Delta region to promote peace.
“We will continue to protect the territorial integrity of the country and all its national assets,” Igbo said.
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Igbo said the Navy would continue to discharge its obligations to the country, including maintaining peace in the region, which he said was necessary for sustainable development to thrive.
The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, urged the NDDC management to continue supporting security forces in the region and promised to sustain the cordial relationship between the Navy and the Commission.
