By Emma Sunday
Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, Sole Administrator of Rivers has assured on safety of critical government infrastructure and welfare for residents of the state.
Ibas gave the assurance during a security/stakeholders interaction on Saturday in Opobo town headquarters of Opobo local government area of the state.
Represented by CP Olubenga Adepoju, Ibas said that the interaction became necessary to enable him understand the challenges at the grassroots with a view of proffering solutions.
The Sole Administrator also urged residents of Opobo/Nkoro to cooperate with their local government Sole Administrator Mr Fred Apiafi as he delivers on his mandate to the people.
“We are here to talk on welfare and security challenges in this LGA, Security and safety of critical national assets is our collective duty.
“Opobo alongside Andoni LGAs houses crude oil and pipelines and we all know the importance of these assets to the nation.
“We have replica of service chiefs in all the LGAs who are to assist you to ensure that critical national assets are secured and also ensure the safety of lives and property,” he said.
In his response, Apiafi, the administrator of Opobo/Nkoro commended Ibas for the meeting which he also discrbed as timely.
He noted that the area had been grabbling various degrees of criminalities including sea piracy, burglary, rubbery attacks on communities, crude oil theft and intimidation by local vigilantes.
Apiafi called for speady security intervention to ensure safety of oil infrastructure as well as livelihoods of the people.
Also speaking, a representative of the Traditional ruler in Opobo/Nkoro, Alabo Edwin Brown in his contribution appealed for the establishment of a Police Station along the Opobo/Nkoro/Queens Town axis to help check activities of criminals in the area.
Mrs Felicia Pepple, President, Opobo Women Welfare Association urged the state government to embark on empowerment programs to tackle the challenges of poverty in communities.
The Women and youth groups in separate appeals also called for the establishment of NDLEA outstation and Naval outpost to tackle sea piracy and drug addiction bedeviling the area.
The Service Commanders in Rivers State comprising of the Commissioner of Police, heads of DSS, Nigeria Navy Ship pathfinder, Nigeria Army, 6 Division garrison, Nigeria Airforce,115 special operations,Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were also in attendance.
