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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The flag officer commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas has again given assurance that the Nigerian navy will continue to do everything possible to make sure that it protects national assets.
Speaking on Thursday when the leadership of Federated Correspondent’s Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State paid him a courtesy visit, Abass disclosed that the Central Naval command was focusing more on the fight against illegal oil theft, adding that the rate of oil theft in the region now was alarming.
Thanking the group for their visit and their commendation on the activities of the Navy, the FOC said that the command has a very robust relationship with the media and will continue to sustain it.
The FOC said” We will do all we can to protect the national facilities because we are aware that that is where the nation gets their revenue from. So we know that if we don’t project it, we will be in trouble. We will do all that we are supposed to do to guide our wealth.
“I’m delighted at your visit and I will not take that for granted because the media is a very important tool for governance and as a military man, I know the importance of media especially when it has to do with the issue of security agencies cannot be over emphasized.
“Thank you for commending our effort in the waterways. We are doing our best but what we are taking seriously now is oil theft and illegal bunkering with its concomitant effects on the environment.
“So far so good. We have a very good relationship with the media and we shall continue to patner with you to showcase our own success through you and possibly pass important information through you,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the chairman of Federated Correspondents’ chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State, Tife Owolabi had told the FOC that the group was there to seek for synergy between FCC and the Navy.
He said the essence of the visit was to cement the partnership adding that “We are partners in progress especially in the area of security.
He said “We need to cement the symbiotic relationship to make Nigeria great. We are partners and we can’t wait until something happens before we can come. We want you to see us as one of your own.”
The chairman also used the opportunity to remind Navy of the chapel’s annual lecture which he disclosed deal more on the issue of security and oil theft, “We want you buy it into it.”
He also reminded the Navy to be at alert maintaining that “We still want to remind you to be at alert because of the series of insecurity going on the country now.
“Navy used to be on the waterways. We want you to be at alert in case you witness anything. We commend you for the good work that you are doing,” he said.
