6 DIVISION NIG. ARMY AND NDDC TO COLLABORATE TO FACILITATE PEACE, DEVELOPMENT, OIL AND GAS IN NIGER DELTA REGION
BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, FRCN PORT HARCOURT
The Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku has described peace and security as catalysts to Development.
Dr. Ogbuku who made the assertion during a courtesy visit by a delegation from 6 Division Nigerian Army Port Harcourt, at NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt Rivers State, noted that the collaboration between the agency and security operatives would be key to sustaining infrastructural Development.
The Managing Director explained that the Commission in its bid to ensure peace and security, brought Project HOPE, a youth empowerment initiative to get the youths engaged and take their minds off crimes.
He stated that the Project was meant to create job opportunities in Agriculture, welding, technology, Artificial intelligence and renewable energy an area where the commission has secured partnership with foreign donors to train youths.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Interventionist agency who said that the ongoing Solar light Project in rural communities was to ensure security, told the delegation that all military barracks in the region would be lit up also to create enabling environment for officers to carry out their assignments.
While acknowledging that the Army has contributed to peace in the region by providing adequate security, he promised to send a team to assess the status of Army Jetty in Effuru to have it completed in addition to Command Science Secondary School.
He expressed optimism that peace and security would guarantee progress of the nation.
In his presentation, the General Officer Commanding Six Division Nigerian Army Port Harcourt, Major General Jamal Abdussalam who explained that the Division was established to provide security for oil and gas installations in Niger Delta region, admitted the need for a closer working relationship between the Army and NDDC to facilitate development of Niger Delta region.
Major General Abdussalam who maintained that the division was determined to fight oil theft within its Area of responsibility, added that the security of brown waters or creeks was the responsibility of Nigerian Army.
While appreciating NDDC for previous projects in the barracks, the GOC requested for infrastructural Development in brigade commands especially accommodation.
Major General Abdussalam who is also the Land component Commander South-South, Operation Delta Safe, mentioned other areas of need to include, Completion of Army Jetty in Efuru Delta State to help Army police the creeks as well as relocation of Command Science Secondary School from Ebedebiri to Port Harcourt.
