Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday, called on the Nigerian Navy to strengthen its operational efficiency in ensuring that piracy and other unwholesome activities were nipped in the bud in the maritime sector of the nation’s economy.
Okowa made the call when he received the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo and his delegation at Government House, Asaba.
The Governor who said that he was impressed with the operational performance index of Naval personnel in the state, affirmed that with sustained surveillance and peace, Delta as a coastal state, will increase its contribution in crude oil production to the national treasury.
“I welcome you to Delta State. I want to thank you also for this visit. There is no doubt that Delta State is a very important coastal state, particularly because, it is a major producer of crude oil in our nation.
“I want to thank the Navy for the effort they have put in consistently in helping to secure our state and even working with other sister security agencies in securing even our lands.
“So, we want to appreciate you for the good work you are doing in the state. We are aware that you work with a lot of our people who assist in area of intelligence in being able to carry out your various surveillance activities.
“We are also grateful to the officers you have sent to us. They have been quite helpful and committed to their works both on land and in waters,” the governor said.
He assured the Chief of Naval Staff that his administration would continue to assist in making the job of Naval personnel both on land and in water easier through the provision of logistics, emphasising that the synergy among various security agencies has yielded positive results.
Governor Okowa said internal roads in Navy’s Logistics Command, in the state has been captured in the budget, affirming that the request for upgrade of facilities was being looked into.