TheNewsGuru

Tag: Niger Delta

  • We’ll soon install modular refineries in Delta, Rivers – FG

    The Federal Government on Saturday assured the Niger Delta region that the modular refineries for Delta and Rivers States will soon be delivered.

    It also said the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, would commence academic activities for the 2017/2018 academic year with 196 students.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, disclosed these in a statement made available to journalists.

    Akande said the information formed part of the highlights of a meeting of the Niger Delta Inter-Ministerial Committee presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

    “The meeting was also briefed on the progress of the modular refineries. One set of modular refinery package shipment has since arrived in Nigeria, and after undergoing clearance at customs, would be installed in Delta State; while another set, which is expected to arrive the country in April this year, would be installed in Rivers State,” Akande said.

    He further disclosed that the operation of the modular refineries would include the involvement of communities where they were located.

    He said Osinbajo explained that the decision would ensure that the communities benefited directly from the refineries which would help create jobs and engage youths in the region.

    Akande added that the committee, in December last year, received a report that 38 licensed privately-financed greenfield and mini-modular refineries investors had so far indicated interest in the establishment of refineries in the region, with at least 10 of the licensed refineries investors at an advanced stage of development.

    He also said the Maritime University would start lectures next month.

    He said 196 students had so far been admitted into the university to commence their academic programmes, while 76 applications were still pending.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had approved an increase in the take-off grant allocated to the university from the N2bn earlier announced to N5bn.

    The sum was included in the 2018 budget presented to the National Assembly in November 2017.

    Similarly, an additional N1bn was approved by the President to support essential infrastructure works and staff recruitment in the university in November 2017.

    Akande added that the Niger Delta Development Commission also disclosed at the meeting that it completed 372 projects covering roads, bridges, electricity, water, among others, in 2017.

    He also said work was in progress on the Ogoni clean-up, and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project under the Ministry of Environment, as it is set to commence the procurement process for contracting experts for the remediation and clean-up of impacted sites.

  • We must sensitize Niger Delta youths to dangers of militancy – NDDC MD

    The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere, has urged major stakeholders to sensitize youths in the Niger Delta on the dangers of militancy and other social vices.

    Ekere, who spoke when leaders of the Port Harcourt Club 1928 paid him a courtesy visit at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, stressed the need for peace and security to attract investments to the region.

    He charged members of the Port Harcourt Club, whom he described as strong opinion leaders, to join in the effort to sanitize the Niger Delta, lamenting that most of the businesses that used to operate out of Port Harcourt have closed or re-located.

    The NDDC Chief Executive Officer remarked that investors need maximum security. He charged the leaders of Port Harcourt Club to advise the youths of the Niger Delta and make them understand that security would allow more businesses to operate from the region and thus create more jobs for them.

    Ekere regretted that the world biggest refinery is being built in Lagos by a private investor. He said: “Millions of dollars will be used to construct pipelines to take the crude from the Niger Delta to Lagos. You can imagine the number of jobs that will be created if that facility were to be built in the Niger Delta. Imagine the multiplier effect in the economy.”

    The NDDC boss declared that the current board of the Commission had been working very hard to change the story of the interventionist agency since it took over 15 months ago.

    He said: “When we came on board we came with a very ambitious plan to restructure the NDDC. We articulated what we called the 4-R strategy. To restructure our balance sheet because it was over-bloated. A lot of projects were abandoned and there was over-trading. We identified the fact that for us to progress, we must of necessity restructure our balance sheet.

    “We decided that we cannot continue to add to the liabilities. So, in our budget for 2017, we decided to dedicate 70 per cent of the budget to on-going projects to enable us concentrate on those projects and complete them. Only 30 per cent is dedicated to salaries, overheads and new projects. We also took measures restore the Commission to its core mandate.”

    Ekere said that the NDDC was now concentrating on big ticket projects that would lead to economic integration of the Niger Delta, noting that it made sense to focus on doing those things that would change the economy of the region by providing sustainable and meaningful infrastructure.

    He also said that the NDDC had decided to re-order its governance protocol, adding that the Commission must be run as an international best practice organization. Ekere assured: “We should respect laws and policies. We must follow due process in awarding contracts. So, we have decided to strengthen the governance system of NDDC. We re-dedicated ourselves to doing what is right and proper at all times.”

    Ekere expressed delight that the changes at NDDC was already getting positive feed-backs from the international community, the business community and the Federal Government. According to him, “they recognize that NDDC is now doing things differently.” He commended the NDDC staff for being instrumental to the change that was taking place in the Commission.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Port Harcourt Club 1928, Dr Diamond Tobin-West, commended the NDDC for rendering numerous forms of assistance to the club, especially in the area of sponsoring sporting competitions.

    He said that the Port Harcourt Club had never had it so good in its relationship with NDDC, appealing for more assistance as it prepares to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the club this year.

    Dr Tobin-West also appealed for the completion of the sports complex being built by NDDC for the club.

     

  • NDDC approves training of 100 Niger Delta youths at Innoson

    The Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has approved the training of 100 young men and women in Automobile Technology at an indigenous car manufacturing company, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Group as part of its skills acquisition programme.

    This was made known by the Chairman of the Board, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, when he led a delegation from NDDC to visit the Innoson factory at Nnewi, Anambra State. He was accompanied by the Delta State Representative on the NDDC Board, Dr Ogaga Ifowodo, NDDC Director- Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr Marcel Eshiogu, among others.

    Senator Ndoma-Egba affirmed that the NDDC Board had in its first meeting this year approved a visit to the factory and the Innoson Kiara Academy, a Technical and Vocational Institution established by an international consulting firm in partnership with Innoson Group, for training in different aspects of Automobile Maintenance.

    He said that the NDDC would soon select 100 young men and women from the region to undergo the training to boost their skills, stressing the importance of manpower development.

    The Chairman said: “We believe that the real resource of any country is not its minerals but the young men and women of the country. However, they remain a resource only if they are trained, skilled and engaged.

    “If they are not trained, skilled or engaged, instead of being a resource, they will become a curse. We don’t want our young men and women to be a curse. We prefer that they are resources, so that they can contribute their own quota to the development of the Niger Delta region.”

    Senator Ndoma-Egba commended the Chairman of Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, for his faith and belief in Nigeria. He said: “We are highly impressed with what you have done. It is not just the facilities but the spirit behind what you have done. If we have a few more Nigerians with your level of believe in this country, we will be better off. Siting this massive investment in your community is a mark of faith not just in your people but also in your country.

    “You have shown that industrialising Nigeria is possible. We keep talking about local content, See what you have done, bringing expatriates here to help us meet global standards. After taking a ride in one of your buses, I believe that the products from your factory are world class.”

    The NDDC Chairman stated that the Commission was interested in the training Niger Delta youths, just like the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which was already sponsoring the training of 200 students at the Innoson Academy.

    He assured that the NDDC would support Innoson Motors, wondering why governments at different levels would not patronise locally manufactured or assembled vehicles. “That is the only way we can encourage our local industries. So, NDDC will be at the vanguard of this effort,” he pledged.

    Addressing the 200 students sponsored by the Amnesty Programme, at the training centre in Nnewi, the NDDC Chairman charged them to make maximum use of the opportunity, noting that the skills they acquire would empower them to be useful to themselves and to the society.

    He told them that the acquisition of skills was meant to give them dignity and keep them away from destructive militancy, observing that militancy should be for positive goals. He explained: “I am a militant for development, knowledge and dignity.”

    The Executive Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Chief Chukwuma, said that the kind remarks of the NDDC Chairman would energise and encourage his company to put in more efforts in the quest to industrialise Nigeria.

    He declared: “We intend to open small factories in different parts of the Niger Delta to among other things, employ those who have successfully gone through our trainings. I have challenged the trainees to put in their best efforts because Innoson will offer them automatic employment in our factories.”

     

  • Niger Delta, other regions will witness increased investments throughout my tenure – Buhari

    …appreciates region for producing Itse Sagay, others

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday assured the people of Niger Delta that his administration would continue to support rapid development in the region.

    He said he would consolidate on all ongoing projects and initiate new ones to create more economic opportunities and jobs for the people.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke while receiving a delegation led by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Adesina quoted the President as reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Niger Delta for economic and social activities to thrive.

    “The President told the delegation led by the Olu of Warri that developing the region remained a priority for his administration, adding that under his watch, every region in the country would witness increased investments in critical infrastructure.

    “The President appealed to the people of Niger Delta to complement ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to bring more development to the region by maintaining peace, security and harmony,” the statement read.

    Buhari also promised to look into some of the concerns raised by the delegation, including the dredging of the Escravos bar for Warri and Koko ports, the gas revolution industrial park and EPZ project in Ogidigben, the ecological challenges in Ode-Itsekiri, Ugborodo, Orere/Yanagho and Ogheye-Eghoroke, among others.

    The President also used the occasion of the visit to commend the Itsekiri people for producing men of strong convictions like the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay.

    He said, “Thanks for producing a man like Prof. Itse Sagay, who is defending us robustly and stepping on many toes in the process. If he’s not a man of conviction, he couldn’t have done that.

    “What he is doing is exceptional. Despite coming from a minority area, he’s showing overwhelming influence at the centre. Prof, I never had the opportunity to thank you personally for all you’re doing. Thank you very much.”

    The Olu of Warri had on Friday urged the Federal Government to tackle insecurity in the Niger Delta region and activate Warri and Koko ports in Delta State.

    He said that the activation of the ports would go a long way in providing job opportunities, thereby reducing youth restiveness in the region.

    He regretted that while other ports in the country were active and contributing to the economic activities in the states where they were located, those of Warri and Koko had remained unused.

    He also made a case for the actualisation of a planned gas industrial park (gas city) that is valued at $20bn, through a Public-Private Partnership model.

  • Amnesty International report shines light on 15 human rights issues in Nigeria

    London-based non-governmental organization focused on human rights, Amnesty International, has launched its 2017/2018 edition annual report detailing state of human rights in 159 countries, including Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru reports the 409-page report, which lists human rights abuses from the civil war in Syria to Police brutality in Kenya, covers all major human rights issues in Nigeria.

    “The armed group Boko Haram continued to carry out attacks, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Reports continued of extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, and torture and other ill-treatment, which, in some cases, led to deaths in custody.

    “Conditions in military detention conditions were harsh. Communal violence occurred across the country. Thousands of people were forcibly evicted from their homes,” the report noted.

    The report listed the fifteen human rights challenges facing Nigeria to include armed conflict; arbitrary arrests and detentions; internally displaced people (IDPs); lack of accountability; unlawful killings; torture and other ill-treatment, and communal violence.

    Other challenges the report listed are right to housing and forced evictions; women’s rights; human rights defenders; freedom of assembly and association; freedom of expression; corporate accountability; rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people, and death penalty.

    Boko Haram Conflict

    – The group carried out 65 attacks causing 411 civilian deaths in 2017

    – In May 82 Chibok girls abducted in 2014 were released.

    – Sixteen women, including ’10 police women abducted in June.

    – In July 3 oil prospectors were abducted and 40 others killed.

    Internally Displaced Persons

    – There are at least 1.7 million Internally Displaced Persons in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

    – Thirty nine per cent live in camps, while 61% live in host communities.

    – 5.4 million people in north east remain in urgent need of food assistance.

    Arbitrary Arrests

    – The military arbitrarily arrested and held thousands of young men, women and children in Giwa Barracks.

    – By April the military held more than 4,900 in the extremely overcrowded facility.

    – Disease, dehydration and starvation killed at least 340 detainees.

    Torture and ill-treatment

    – Ibraheem El Zakzaky, leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria and his wife held by govt. without trial since December 2015.

    – Court order for the release and compensation of El Zakzaky was ignored by the government.

    Unlawful killings

    – At least 12 IPOB members were killed by soldiers in Umuahia in Abia state on September 14.

    – There was outrage over activities of #SARS, and after huge pressure police agreed to reform the squad.

    Communal violence

    – Lingering violence between herders and farmers claimed more than 549 and displaced thousands in 12 states.

    – In June dozens of mostly herdsmen and their families were killed in Mambilla Plateau in Taraba state.

    Right to Housing and Forced Evictions

    – Authorities in Lagos, Imo and River states continued forcibly evict thousands of residents.

    – In Lagos state at least 5,000 people were forcibly evicted from Otodo Gbame and Ilubirin in March and April.

    Freedom of Assembly

    – The security forces disrupted, in some cases violently and with excessive force, peaceful protests and assemblies.

    – The police continued to deny IMN, which was banned by the Kaduna state government in 2016, the right to peaceful protest.

    Freedom of Expression

    – Journalists were harassed, intimidated and arrested.

    – On 19 January, police raided the offices of Premium Times and arrested publisher Dapo Olorunyomi and correspondent Evelyn Okakwu for several hours.

    Niger Delta

    – Environmental pollution linked to the oil industry continued to undermine the economic, social and cultural rights of the Niger Delta communities

    – The government took limited steps to address pollution in the Ogoniland of the Niger Delta. But it was slow so far.

    Women’s Rights

    – IDP women reported gender based violence including rape and sexual exploitation, often in exchange for food by the military & members of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

    – A group of women who were previously confined to Bama IDP camp campaigned for the release of their husbands.

    Human Rights Defenders

    – Human rights defenders continued to face intimidation for their work.

    – Parliament debated a bill to regulate and restrict activities of NGO’s.

    – If passed the bill will establish an agency that will keep a register of all NGO’s

    Death Penalty

    – Death sentences continued to be imposed;

    – No executions were recorded.

    Amnesty found that, in the face of oppression, many were inspired to join movements that delivered human rights victories.

    “As we enter the year in which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 70, it is abundantly clear that none of us can take our human rights for granted,” Salil Shetty, Amnesty International Secretary General stated in the foreword of the report.

     

  • Maritime University gets NUC approval for undergrad degree programmes

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted approval to Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State to commence undergraduate degree programmes effective from the 2017/2018 academic session.

    Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru reports NUC approved academic activities for three faculties namely; Transport, Engineering and Environmental Management of the institution.

    According to the statement the Faculty of Transport has four departments, namely: Nautical Science, Transport Logistics Management, Marine Economics and Finance, and Port Management.

    The Faculty of Engineering has five departments – Marine Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Petroleum and Gas Engineering, and the Faculty of Environmental Management has four departments: Environmental Management and Pollution, Meteorology and Climate Change, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Marine Geology.

    “The Maritime University will be extended all privileges accorded to other Federal Universities,” the statement read.

    It would be recalled that the University commenced operations in 2017 and, in November 2017, invited job applications for academic staff with advert placement in major national dailies.

    President Buhari also approved an increase in the take-off grant allocated to the University from the N2bn earlier announced to N5bn. This sum was included in the 2018 budget presented to the National Assembly in November 2017.

    Similarly, an additional N1 billion was approved by the President to support essential infrastructure works and staff recruitment in the University.

     

  • ‘We’ve dealt with the Niger Delta issue’ – Minister

    Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, and Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) board, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has said the federal government has surmounted challenges in the Niger Delta region to reach full production capability of crude oil in the country.

    Kachikwu made this known while speaking at the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) 2018, and stressed “Africa with its bushes and its wildlife, remains the continent yet untapped; abundant in opportunity”.

    “We’ve dealt with the Niger Delta issue. We have moved from a position where we were producing under 1 million bpd to our full capabilities, he stated.

    He, however, noted that “the clean energy focus is beginning to make irrelevant the vast oil reserves many countries have”.

    In his goodwill message at the summit, Dr. Maikanti Baru, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC opined that the after 6 decades of petroleum exploration and exploitation in Nigeria, the summit is long overdue.

    “After 6 decades of petroleum exploration and exploitation in Nigeria, this event is long overdue. However, as the popular saying goes, it is better late than never.

    “African countries need to collaborate amongst each other not only in terms of oil/gas but in other key sectors. I call on all to utilize the networking opportunities towards forming strategic partnerships to better our industry and our economies,” he said.

    “Fuel scarcity is a pricing related issue and the government believes it is its duty to supply the nation. We have some issues with marketers.

    “We have been flooding the market. The marketers have asked that we flood the market. We have flooded the market.

    “We give marketers as much as they need. If we give them more than that they will smuggle it out,” he went further to say.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, declared the summit opened.

     

  • Nigerian firms to build power grids in Niger Delta

    Nigerian firms to build power grids in Niger Delta

    All On, a global energy player and three Nigerian renewable energy companies have signed agreement that would see to the setting up of mini electric off-grids across the Niger Delta.

    Dr Wiebe Boer, the Chief Executive Officer of All On, disclosed this at the signing of the agreement with GVE, Lumos and ColdHubs in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

    He said the companies would have access to funds for setting up and expanding off-grid renewable energy solution to end perennial shortage of electricity supply in the country.

    “As we know, Nigeria has one of the most significant energy gaps in the world. The 5,000 to 7,000 megawatts the country currently generates is grossly inadequate.

    “Our research shows that 120 million Nigerians have either no power from the grid or less than four hours of power a day,” he said.

    Boer said that the Federal Government has taken a realistic step to addressing acute shortage of electricity supply in the country.

    “The current regulation that Nigerian government has just put out imply that companies are now free to generate power and sell power to whoever they want to.

    “So, the companies that All On is investing in are companies that are actually trying to address that gap from the bottom up rather than current method that is being used.

    “So, we have three deals that we signed today and all of them are focused on helping with the energy access problems in the country, particularly in the Niger Delta,” he said.

    Boer said the three companies had potentials to improve the current power system in the country, adding that Lumos alone was currently providing 600,000 Nigerians with constant electricity.

    He said that Nigeria with its population and size needed about 180 megawatts of electricity to join the league of industrialized nations of the world.

    According to him, the privatization of the power sector five years ago has not yielded result as the approach was expensive and long term.

    “So, the off-grid companies are saying that instead of waiting forever for Generation, Transmission and Distribution companies to power homes that let each household and communities power their homes through the sun.

    “I think what will happen in Nigeria is that we are going to see new business development models that we haven’t really seen anywhere in the world,” he pointed out.

    Boer said there were several investors willing to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the nation’s off-grid energy market.

    Mr Ashipa Olufemi, Vice President of Lumos Nigeria; Ifeanyi Orajaka, Managing Director of GVE Projects and the Founder of ColdHubs, Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu, expressed delight with the partnership.

    They promised to deliver 24 hours electricity supply to willing customers in the Niger Delta.

     

  • FG, U.S. inaugurate initiative on security in Northeast, Niger Delta

    Federal Government in partnership with the U.S. on Monday inaugurated Security Governance Initiative (SGI) Joint Country Action Plan (JCAP) to address the challenges of insecurity in the Northeast and Niger Delta.

    The Minister of Interior, (rtd.) Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahaman Danbazau inaugurated the steering committee for the implementation of the SGI JCAP.

    Dambazau at the inauguration in Abuja said the essence of the partnership was to improve Nigerian security governance, and build security capacity to address security threat in the country.

    He said that the JCAP was developed by both partners to address such issue mentioned and the road map to implement the programme was also stated.

    “The SGI, which is a partnership between Nigeria and U.S., is designed to improve security governance and capacity ranging from policing in the northeast and Niger Delta to emergency response protocols and defence acquisition.

    “The JCAP which was adopted and signed in May 2017, outlines the roadmap for a successful bilateral engagement under the SGI.

    “The JCAP outlines three thematic focus areas that are centred on strengthening the effectiveness of the security institutions and the criminal justice system.

    “The challenges to security governance, desired end state, intermediate objectives and recommendations are all encompassed in these three focal areas,” he said

    According to him the areas include, Ministry of Interior Nationwide Emergency Response Planning and Coordination, and Ministry of Defence Materiel Needs Identification, Procurement and Acquisition Procedures and Processes

    Other, he said, are Civilian security planning for the Northeast and the Niger Delta

    He said that the desired end state of the three focal areas were concentrated on Nigeria having an effective and integrated Ministry of Interior that responds to national emergencies in a robust and people centric manner

    “It takes advantage of the unique competencies and resources of each entity at all levels.

    “Incorporating effective planning, acquisition and management of Nigerian Defence establishments’ materiel needs, and to establish preconditions for a normal civilian life under the rule of law in the northeast and the Niger Delta.

    “The working group of focus area two which is the Ministry of Defence Materiel needs identification, procurement and acquisition procedures and, processes has been ongoing and they have made significant progress,” he said

    He said that the working groups of focus areas one and three would commence sitting in March 2018.

    “The task before us is very important and crucial to the progress of the country as peace and security are a measure of our success as a government.

    “The success of this program therefore lies in the hands all of us, as all of your agencies will be involved in the implementation of the program,” he said.

    He commended the U.S. government and the ambassador for keeping the SGI flying despite several challenges.

    The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington said that Washington is concerned about the security and safety of Nigerians.

    Symington said that partnership was key to addressing insecurity.

    He commended the efforts of the Nigerian government and called for more efforts from all stakeholders in ensuring the implementation of the agreement under the SGI

    Also speaking, Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali rtd, represented by Dr Hassan Abdullahi, an official of the ministry, commended the JCAP which he said was focused on strengthening the security agency in Nigeria.

    He was optimistic that the SGI would go a long way to straighten the effectiveness of security institutions and criminal justice system in the country

    Dan-Ali said that the initiative would also help in addressing militant insurgency and other insecurity challenge in the northeast and Niger Delta area.

     

  • Navy destroys over 712 illegal refineries in N/Delta says FOC

    The outgoing Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Rear Adm. Abubakar Al-Hassan, said the Command had destroyed over 712 illegal refineries in the last seven months.

    Al-Hassan disclosed this during the sendforth parade organised in his honour on Monday in Warri at the premises of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Delta, Warri Naval Base.

    Al-Hassan who assumed duty on July 17, 2017 also said that over 900,000 metric tonnes of products suspected to be Automated Gasoline Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and crude oil were destroyed within the period under review.

    He attributed the feat to the commitment and determination of his personnel to ensure that the maritime domain was sanitised from illegal activities in line with the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) directive of 2015.

    “Over 100 wooden boats and power driven boats engaged in illegalities in the creeks were either seized or destroyed.

    “Part of these successes was attained through patrols at sea and within the backwaters as well as the conduct of exercises and operations such as OCTOPUSGRIP.

    “The command also recorded over 25,000 hours of boat patrols within the creeks and waterways between July, 2017 and Jan. 18,’’ he said.

    Al-Hassan noted that the nation’s economic centre of gravity fell within the operational domains of the Nigerian Navy (NN) thus making the Navy a vital driver, guidance and enabler of the Nigeria economic aspiration.

    “In realisation of this, Navy has maintained constant presence and has deployed enough ships to ensure that criminal activities in the maritime domain are stopped,’’ he said.

    The FOC commended the Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa and Kogi state governments for their support in both facilities and logistic toward the Command’s operations and ultimate success.

    He also thanked the traditional rulers and youth leaders in the Niger Delta for supporting the Nigerian Navy by ensuring peace in their various communities.

    He urged the personnel to remain more committed toward ensuring safety and security of the maritime domain in the Command’s Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

    Al-Hassan also advised the personnel to sustain the good fellowship and give maximum support to the incoming FOC to enable him to succeed in his task.

    “My utmost gratitude goes to the CNS for giving me the opportunity to contribute my quota to nation building in this capacity,’’ he said.

    The incoming FOC, Central Naval Command, is Rear Adm. Saleh Usman.