Checking Resource Wastage By Security Operatives

Continued from last Friday

This  said boat so set ablaze was left to be floating on the river with the scorching fire blazing out of it. This burning boat, with its hell-like inferno, finally, through the direction of the tide and wave of the river, berthed at Ogolo jetty, Opobo Town, destroying the jetty, the sand shore embankment, and some other structures by the sea-shore, and would have gone to cause more harrowing damages on the community if not for the stout fight presented by the concerted efforts of the youths and men of the city and other well-meaning residents. If not for such resilience, may be a part of the kingdom would have become burn-fire by now.

Outside the destruction seen physically, no one would be able to truly evaluate or ascertain the extent of damage this destroyed boat may have done on the marine and aquatic lives besides the psychological trauma it placed on the people of the kingdom.

Condemning the unprofessional approach of the alleged Naval men, the Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. (Senibo) Maclean Bethel Uranta, who was not happy that trained personnel could carry out such activity without considering the fact that there are coastal communities which could be affected negatively by their action called on relevant authorities to come to the aid of the people.

Hon. (Senibo) Uranta said that assuming the tide directed the burning boat towards the direction of RUSAL (ASCON) Jetty, which is not far away from Opobo Town, the nation would have had great disaster because the inflammable chemicals used by the company may increase the fire to a level that is difficult to control.

Also speaking, the Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, HRM. King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, has advised the military to always exhibit professionalism and carefulness though he commended their effort in apprehending the oil thieves.

Seeing how die-hearted these criminals operating in our society could be, the ability of the naval men and indeed the strength of the military and other security operatives in tackling and apprehending them is very commendable. We wish the officers more success so that we can rid our society of these unwanted elements.

As worthy and commendable as the efforts of the military may be in arresting these oil thieves, the men and security operatives should realize that anything worth doing, is worth doing well. If these intercepted suspected vessels are confiscated and the contents taken back to the necessary agencies for sale to the public and the money so realized returned to the treasury, then their gallantry will really be applauded for it is devoid of harm and damage to the economy, the environment, and the people.

Apprehending the vessels used for this dastardly act is commendable, but arresting and prosecuting the criminals that perpetrated the act and their perceived sponsors will serve as deterrent to others from engaging in such kind of unwholesome business.

By wnat happened at Ogolo jetty in Opobo Town, Rivers State recently on that fateful day, it has become more expedient for the authorities to establish fire fighting stations in our coastal communities, especially those areas that are not accessible by land, for them to at least know what to do in event of a situation like that of Saturday May 18.

If the military, security operatives and other authorities and bodies fighting to secure our society and environment go ahead to exhibit professionalism always and to do the right thing, the right way, and at the right time, the unnecessary and undue wastage of resources, lives, environment, the people’s health, material and property, would have been greatly curbed.

Concluded.

Oruigoni resides in Port Harcourt.

Idanye Oruigoni