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Our Collaboration With Navy Has Yielded Positive Results, Says Fubara …Navy Recommits To Protecting Waterways, Infrastructure
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday declared that the robust collaboration between the Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Navy has yielded positive results, especially in fighting water ways related crimes such as vandalisation of oil pipeline lines in coastal environments.
Gov. Fubara disclosed this at the Government House, in Port Harcourt, during a courtesy visit by the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Donald Okehie and his entourage.
Gov. Fubara affirmed that the relationship will be sustained to achieve greater results, noting that the complex terrain of the state requires intense security vigilance to tackle crimes like piracy, oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“Let me welcome you officially to the State and also use this medium to congratulate your boss, the Chief of Naval Staff, on his appointment and to wish him well. And to also assure him that the wonderful relationship that existed between the Navy and the State will be sustained.”
“I want to say that our relationship with the Naval Command has been very wonderful. It has to be so, because of the terrain of Rivers State, surrounded with rivers, seas and creeks.”
“So, the predominant occupation here is usually fishing and other activities that normally take place in the waterways. We are not farmers here, even if we farm, may be not in commercial quantity. But our main activities usually fishing and other things done in the marine environment.”
“So, keeping relationship with the Navy is very important. Therefore,, your coming on board and this particular relationship that you have come to renew, we can assure you that it is going to spur us to do more in terms of collaboration for the success of both the Navy and the State.”
The Governor emphasized on the protection of national assets, stating that any depletion on the production scale would affect both the state and national economy.
He commended the Navy and other security agencies for their prompt response in addressing issues of oil theft and insecurity in the state, while wishing the Flag Officer Commanding a successful tenure in overseeing the affairs of the Eastern Naval Command.
“The major problem that we have here is the issue of vandalisation of pipeline and these issues are in the coastal line where the lines run through the swamps. I can say here proudly that the Navy in conjunction with other Security agencies have always responded very actively.”
“In most cases they don’t even need to inform me, it is after they have done the operation that they usually send in their reports. This can only be possible because of the wonderful relationship that we have.”
“If the State doesn’t protect her asset through the Security agencies, definitely the State will suffer one way or the other.”
“If the level of production drops, in the course of calculation of returns from the federation allocation, it will also affect our allocation. So it is a win-win thing for everyone of us.”
Gov. Fubara congratulated the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I. Abbas on his appointment and assured the continuous support of Rivers State to the Navy.
In his Speech by the Commander of the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Donald Okehie, expressed deep appreciation to the governor for his warmth reception and steady support for the Navy, especially in the provision of logistic supports, and assured that the Navy will sustain its collaboration with Rivers State Government.
“I wish to express our profound appreciation to you Sir for your steady support of the Nigerian Navy. I was discussing with my Commander here and he said you have given us about six boats, built structures in our Secondary School and so many other things. I want to deeply appreciate you for this steady support.”
Rear Admiral Okehie described Rivers State as key and strategic to Nigeria’s maritime and energy architecture with its vast coast line with regards to the oil and gas infrastructure, big waterways, vibrant commercial activities which require adequate security.
He pointed out that the Navy aligned with Governor Fubara’s development plans for the State, especially in the areas of peace, security and protection of critical infrastructure, stating that the visit provided opportunity to strengthen the existing collaboration between the Navy and Rivers State Government.
“As the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, I consider a clear collaboration with the Rivers State government as key for strengthening maritime security and in enhancing law enforcement for the nation, so that we can have a secure environment for commercial activities to thrive.”
“Under the leadership of the current Chief of Naval Staff, we pledge to sustain our detailed patrol to enhance our maritime security and deepen joint operations by synergizing with other security agencies to ensure that we maintain safety and security in the maritime environment.”
By: Taneh Beemene
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has demanded quick and full resolution to the challenges arising from the gas leakage that occurred in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of the State.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
President Bola Tinubu has announced the launch of a training programme for 5,000 young Nigerians as meter installers and technicians under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.
The Federal Government has announced that the third evacuation flight for Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will arrive Lagos today having departed Johannesburg at midnight yesterday with 271 returnees on board.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.
It said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.
The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.