Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has commended the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies for their role toward ensuring the prevailing peace in the State.

Governor Amaechi stated this yesterday, when the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.

Amaechi said, the Navy had been of immense support to his administration and citizens of the state particularly in the area of crime control on the waterways.

According to him, “the Nigerian Navy has been of tremendous help to the citizens of the state especially as it affects coastal activities. Bunkering and kidnapping used to be very high, the Navy has been able to reduce it .”

“There were periods when our brothers in Bonny couldn’t go home. There were periods that oil companies couldn’t move their goods, but now at least they can.

“On our part, the Rivers State government will continue to assist the navy and other security agencies.” “When I became governor, we knew they (Navy) lacked gunboats, so we bought six make-shift gunboats, they were fabricated by a local company and they were armed by the Navy”, he said.

Earlier, the Hon. Minister of State for Defence Erelu Olusola Obada thanked the governor for his prompt assistance to the Navy in the State.

She said, although, the country was faced with security challenges, the Nigerian Navy and other Military Personnel were ready to fight crime.

“I want to thank you for the great things you have been doing for the lives of the Navy in Rivers State.  We thank you for the provision of vehicles for NNS Pathfinder, the construction of a Guest House, the Perimeter Fencing and provision of products”.

Meanwhile, the Governor has expressed happiness over the vision of the present leadership of the state Traditional Rulers Council in ensuring that a befitting residential lodge is provided for whoever occupies the position of chairman of the traditional institution in the state.

Governor Amaechi gave this hint yesterday during the commissioning of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council chairman’s lodge in Port Harcourt.

Represented by the state commissioner for Housing, Mr Marshal Uwom, the governor said that the traditional rulers council chairman, His Majesty King Theophilus Princewill has demonstrated purposeful leadership in conceiving the project aimed at enhancing his performance and that of his successors, without initial government support.

Governor Amaechi commended King Princewill for ensuring the completion of the building inspite of the fact that it would be handed over to his successor at the end of his tenure, lauding him for funding the project from the council imprest, and assuring that the request of the monarchs would be met in due course.

Earlier, the chairman of  Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty King Theophilus Princewill explained the need for a permanent accommodation for the council chairman, stressing that it would address the challenges of administering the council affairs from a long distance.

He disclosed that his administration decided to embark on the project in order to reposition the traditional institution in the state and to have a legacy for others to inherit.

The monarch then enjoined the state government to furnish the accommodation, rehabilitate the access road to the building, secure its certificate of occupancy and expand the secretariat auditorium.