RSG To Boost Fight Against Oil Theft

The Rivers State Government has pledged to provide logistics support to the Nigerian Navy in the operation to fight oil theft and illegal bunkering.
The state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, made the pledge during the launching of the 25 Epenal security boats at the NNS Pathfinder on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
Wike underscored the importance of security in the waterways, which he said, will help in the acceleration of development in the Niger Delta.
He commended the Naval High Command for taking concrete measures to stem the theft of crude oil in the Niger Delta by strengthening the security architecture of the waterways.
He said  that the local construction  of  the  Epenal security boats has helped in the creation  of  jobs in the country and the improvement  of  the  capacity  of  Nigerian ship manufacturers.
He said: “The Rivers State Government is happy with the Naval High Command for deploying these boats to this region. It will help in reducing oil theft. This will in turn have a positive impact on our economy.
“These boats will also check violent crimes in the creeks and improve the standard of living of our people.  The Rivers State Government will provide logistics support in the operation of the boats”.
While commending the Federal Government for the measures taken to improve the operational capacity  of  the  military, Wike stated that the state government  will always cooperate  with  the  armed forces  on security  matters.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, said the decision of the Navy to commission an indigenous company to produce the boats will develop the required local capacity for the manufacture of defence equipment.
He said the country was passing through challenging times in terms of security management, noting that the deployment of the additional 25 boats will help the navy.
Also speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, said it is the first time security boats are being produced locally, adding that the production was half the cost of importing the security boats.
He said  that the boats have the required  security  features  to deter criminals  in the waterways.
The Managing Director of Epenal Group, Mr Lele Aaron, said  it was in the  best interest of the country to encourage local ship manufacturers  for the creation of jobs and capacity.
Highpoint of the programme was the introduction of the boats to the waterways.