Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, says locating a naval outpost at Ikuru Town in Andoni Local Government Area is strategic to security in the Gulf of Guinea due to its strategic position in the Niger Delta region.
Engr. Ikuru said this at Ikuru Town during a familiarization visit by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Joseph Aikhomu.
Stressing the need to site the naval outpost in the area, the Deputy Governor pointed out that “Ikuru town is open to the Atlantic Ocean, several creeks and the Gulf of Guinea in general,” observing that “security in Ikuru Town is security in the Gulf of Guinea,” disclosing that the area is home to 182 oil wells amongst other oil facilities.
He promised the State Government’s support in actualizing the objectives of the Command, adding that the people of Ikuru Town are willing and ready to provide an enabling environment and cooperation for the planned outpost.
Earlier, Rear Admiral Aikhomu said his visit is to give him the opportunity to have a first-hand assessment of the planned naval outpost in the area, explaining that the familiarization visit is in adherence to the President’s directive to safeguard the waterways, stop illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
He expressed optimism that the outpost will enhance the fight “against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities” in the Niger Delta region, assuring that the needed manpower and operational capabilities necessary for the smooth take-off of the outpost and security of the area would be provided by the Nigerian Navy.
Speaking, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Sir Orom Nte Ereforokuma, thanked the Navy for the visit, outlining the security relevance of the naval outpost to be sited in Andoni, saying “illegal bunkering will be a thing of the past in the waterways,” assuring them of the Council’s cooperation.
Earlier, the FOC, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Aikhomu had paid a courtesy visit on the Okan-Ama of Ikuru Town, King (Sir) Aaron Ikuru, at his palace in Ikuru Town.
