Illegal Bunkering, Big Issue -Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described oil bunkering as a big issue that needs to be addressed.
Speaking on Wednesday, when the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Bala Abubakar, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the Governor said the fight against economic sabotages, criminal damage of pipelines and theft through illegal bunkery of petroleum products requires the support of the Nigerian Airforce.
He said with the recent increasing economic hardship bedeviling the Nigerian nation, it has become imperative that every arsenal be deployed in ensuring the total protection of the very source of the nation’s economy, the crude oil pipelines.
This, the Governor continued, can be achieved through, among other ways, the collaboration of all security agencies and governments of the nation.
In a Statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA), Media, to the Governor, Boniface Onyedi, Governor Fubara noted the dire situation in which the national economy has been immersed and the degree of difficulties Nigerians have been exposed to as well as their attempt to cope with the challenges.
Describing illegal bunkery as a big issue, the governor stressed the need for a deliberate partnership of all security outfits for easy identification, arrest and prosecution of the criminal elements on the land, sea and air.
In his words, “i want to tell you, the entire Airforce, that we are having a difficult time in this country. So, try as much as you can to see what you can do, we are ready to work with you to reduce economic sabotage.
“Illegal bunkering is a big issue and it is something not to leave in the hands of the navy or the Army. Everybody needs to work together.
“Those things we can’t see while on ground, you can access from aerial view. When we work together, I believe nothing is impossible to conquer.
“I appeal to you to order the Commander in charge of this base to work with us because we intend to start a new fighting arrangement against illegal bunkering activities”.
Earlier, the Airforce boss, Hassan Bala Abubakar, stated that his visit to the State was to inspect facilities at the 115 Special Operations Group, and also  interact with the Airforce personnel in the State.
He commended Governor Fubara for sustaining the relationship between the State Government and the Airforce.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu