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PENGASSAN Lauds Amaechi’s Dev Strides
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria(PENGASSAN), has given Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi a pat on the back for the developmental strides of his administration.
President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Babatunde Ogun made the commendation on Monday when he led the National Executive Council of the body on a courtesy visit to the governor in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Comrade Ogun particularly extolled the Governor’s success in curbing insecurity, raising infrastructure level and promoting harmonious relationship among the citizenry through what he described as consistent strategy of culture diversity.
He declared further that,” your administration’s policies, cultures and practices have been very supportive as building blocks to our cause, processes and direction”.
Comrade Ogun, however, advocated for more synergy and cooperation between labour and government in ensuring that Niger Delta security and development programmes were further stimulated by checking gas flaring, raising local employment quota and community ownership in the sector.
He argued that reforms in the down stream sector and reduction of contract staffing in the sector could help stabilise the oil sector and at the same time promote a conducive environment for the industry to thrive.
The PENGASSAN President who expressed happiness over the labour-friendly disposition of the Amaechi administration used the forum to invite the Governor to the opening of its zonal secretariat located at Abuloma in Port Harcourt., as he reminded him of the pledge in providing land for its national training and development centre also to be sited in the state.
Responding, Governor Amaechi charged the union to always pursue the welfare of the common man, saying,”mankind is more important than the association because at the end of the day, it is not the benefit of individuals that matters but the benefit of society”.
Governor Amaechi sought the input of the union towards the success of the State Social Levy, saying, the levy has become imperative in sustaining the growth of the state,” let’s operationalise it first and review the tax you all will pay,” he pleaded.
Amaechi then congratulated the new PENGASAN executive and challenged it to make meaningful contributions for the evolvement of a new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), as requested by the National Assembly.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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