The Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, has said that it is committed to checking the menace of illegal oil bunkering and reducing it to the barest minimum along the state waterways.
It stated that the launch of its “Operation Dakatar Da Barawo” has achieved tremendous success as shown in the number of arrests and seizures of illegal smuggling vessels across the state.
The commander, NNS Jubilee, Commodore Semiu Gbolahan Olubode-Fazaz, said this on Thursday while fielding questions from newsmen after the commissioning of a water project for Essene community, one of the host communities of NNS Jubilee.
He said, “As you all know, illegal oil bunkering is an old criminal act and we are the one fighting it, if you observed just recently, to further our efforts in combating the menace of illegal bunkering, Nigeria Navy Service launched Operation “Dakatar Da Barawo” and so far without being immodest, the operation had gone a long way in curbing illegal bunkering in Akwa Ibom State.
“NNS had seized quite a number of crude oil by these oil thieves and we have chased them out of their hideouts, where they vandalised federal government property to steal our oil.
“We will not be tired, we will keep on fighting illegal bunkering, we all know how this has affected our economy and of course the development of Nigeria. The Nigerian Navy, as a service, will continue to fight this illegality in our waterways.”
Read Also: Former Speaker’s resignation a face-saving move, says APC
He lauded the community youth for cooperating with the Nigeria Navy to curb illegal bunkering in the state.
However, the commander described the commissioning of the project as one of the cherished traditions of giving back to the host community, adding that the Nigeria Navy will continue to ensure that its host communities live in peace.
He added, “what we are witnessing here is one of the Nigerian Navy’s cherished traditions of giving back to the host communities towards ensuring a positive impact in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. One of the key interests of the command has been ensuring that our host communities live in peace with the officers and ranking of NNS.
“In line with this peaceful co-existence, NNS Jubilee had been organising security patrols to communities, including Essene, to ensure the security of lives and property
“Medical Rhapsodies, where medical treatments are offered freely from time to time, have been conducted. In some communities, water projects have been provided with a generator to power the pumps.”
In his remarks, the village head of the community, Eteidung Godwin Okon, lauded NNS for the commissioning of the water project, adding that anyone who brings water brings life. He promised to ensure that the project is protected.
Click on The Trumpet and follow us on our Twitter page for more:
