Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), through its director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has pledged to render all the necessary assistance to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in order to ensure the safety of lives and property in the region.
The NDDC Director, who stated this when the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Rivers State, Major General Emmanuel Ejim-Emekah, paid him a courtesy visit at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, lauded the GOC for making the Commission his first point of call upon resumption of duties in Rivers State and also deeming it fit to seek partnership with the Commission.
He reassured that the Commission is ever ready to ensure that projects are located in the barracks to enhance the military’s operations, while commending them alongside other security agencies for the restoration of peace, which placed the region at the forefront of the most peaceful areas in the country.
Also, he appreciated the army for seeing to the reduction of the region’s restiveness and charged them to be firm in the discharge of their duties and ensure the arrest of pockets of criminality that surface every now and then.
“We will do our best to support the security agencies to succeed because, when they succeed, we will also succeed.
“For the Nigerian Army, we have done a couple of things to support your operations. Our commitment is unwavering. Recently, we made significant contributions to various operations, particularly the 16th Brigade in Bayelsa. We are also working on improving the facilities at Bori Camp, including installing solar inverters to reduce the cost of diesel, a burden for many federal agencies. Similar installations are planned for Elele Barracks.
“For us in NDDC, we have done a lot to ensure that we collaborate with security agencies because we believe that security, peace, and development are intertwined. Where there is no security, there will be no peace, and where there is no peace, there will be no development.
“In addition, we are addressing requests for the furnishing of the Command Secondary School at Eche in Rivers State and the renovation of the Command Children School at GRA, Port Harcourt.”
In his own view, Major General Emekah commended the management of the Commission for their development efforts in the Niger Delta region, observing that the partnership between them and the Commission has been very instrumental in enforcing peace and stability within the region.
He hinted that the Commission had been a dependable partner, citing his experience with them during his visit to the formations in Bayelsa and Delta States. He therefore stood on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff and the entire Army, particularly the 6 Division, in appreciating the MD and his team for their assistance.
In his words, “Like Oliver Twist, I will continue to ask for more and pray that you do not get tired of our requests, as the Army will continue to work with the Commission to provide security and an enabling environment for the Commission to function effectively and efficiently.”
