Strategic Naval Location built by Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, in Ayakoro Ogbia, Bayelsa State, for Nigerian Navy has been inaugurated.
Performing the Inauguration in Ayakoro Community, immediate past Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala admitted that the move by NDDC would strengthen the security of the maritime environment and boost oil and gas activities.
With the success recorded in the fight against oil theft by security agencies which is evident in daily crude oil production improvement, the State-of-the-Art Strategic Ayakoro Navy Location will be considered a good initiative in line with Federal Government’s determination to see daily oil out put move to two million barrels per day in the near future.
Performing the Inauguration in Ayakoro Community, Ogbia Bayelsa State, the Immediate past Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala admitted that the move by NDDC would strengthen the security of the maritime environment.
Represented by Commander Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, Rear Admiral Noel MADUGU, the Naval Chief while commending the commission expressed optimism that the presence of Navy in the water ways would minimize crude oil theft and boost the nation’s economy.
On his part, Managing Director NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku who asserted that security and development were interwoven, explained that NDDC took up the project to provide a comfortable base for the Navy as they go about securing oil and gas installations as well as confront piracy within Nigerian’s territorial waters.
DR. Ogbuku stated that the commission has intervened in many security operational bases, building structures, donating generators and solar light installations.
According to the MD, the project formed part of series of projects Inauguration lined up to celebrate two years of present NDDC management.
Addressing the gathering, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri represented by Chief security Coordinator, Retired Brigadier General Erick Angaya who appreciated NDDC for the gesture, acknowledged that the presence of Navy would improve the security status of the state and enhance economic growth.
The Governor who promised to partner NDDC in the development of the region asked the community to support the Navy in their quest to secure the maritime domain.
Giving the project brief, Execute Director Projects NDDC, Dr. Victor Antai named facilities in the Naval location to include fully furnished Admin Block, accommodation block, Forty Man House Boat with two units of one hundred KVA generators, two units of gun boats powered by two units of two hundred HP Yamaha Engines each.
According to the EDP, other facilities were, a sixty KVA inverters installed in both admin and accommodation blocks, thirty KVA Solar inverters installed in the House Boat, a newly built operational Floating jetty and operational van.
High point of the event was donation of Hectares of land for Navy school by the Ayakoro community.
Source: Gabriel Okechukwu
