By Mokobia Rita
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has tasked the newly appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major General Everest Okoro, with strengthening security operations and collaboration among security agencies to protect lives, property and critical economic assets in the Niger Delta.
Oborevwori gave the charge on Tuesday when Okoro, who also serves as the Land Component Commander of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, paid a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House, Asaba.
The governor, while congratulating Okoro on his appointment, described 6 Division as a strategically important military formation with a significant responsibility for security across the region.
He said the relative peace being experienced in Delta was linked to sustained cooperation between the state government and security agencies, stressing that the state’s importance to Nigeria’s oil and gas economy made security in the region a national concern.
“Delta State is very, very key to the economy of Nigeria, and we rely on the security agencies to do their work because the peace we are enjoying today is the result of collaboration between the state and the security agencies,” Oborevwori said.
The governor assured the new GOC of the state government’s continued support for the military and other security agencies operating in Delta.
He said the state government had provided infrastructure and logistics to support security operations, including the construction of one-unit flats at the Amphibious Army Barracks in Agbor and sustained logistical assistance to the 63 Brigade.
Oborevwori also linked security directly to economic activity, saying businesses and investments could only thrive where there was stability.
“If this region is safe, the economy will go up. If there is unrest in this region, the economy will go down,” he said.
He urged Okoro to adopt a proactive approach to dealing with criminal activities and assured him that the state government would maintain its partnership with the Nigerian Army.
The governor also recalled his previous involvement with the Presidential Amnesty Programme and his working relationship with security agencies in the Niger Delta, saying his administration would continue to cooperate with the military.
Responding, Okoro said his visit formed part of a familiarisation tour of military formations and units under his command following his assumption of office.
The GOC commended the Delta Government for its support to the state’s security architecture, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and welfare.
He identified Delta’s oil and gas facilities, waterways and other critical national assets as important components of Nigeria’s economic and energy security.
Okoro said protecting those assets and securing states within 6 Division’s area of responsibility would be among his priorities.
He identified credible intelligence, realistic training and effective coordination between security agencies and other stakeholders as necessary for responding to emerging security threats.
The Army commander said his objective was to protect critical national assets, contain threats within the Division’s area of responsibility and ensure effective execution of assigned missions through disciplined leadership, realistic training and coordinated operations.
He also called for the continuation of the cordial relationship between the Delta Government and the Nigerian Army, particularly the 63 Brigade.
