Welcoming the delegation at the Government House in Port Harcourt, on Saturday, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, of Rivers State criticised the federal government for awarding the contract for the protection of crude oil pipelines to “one man”.
Though the Rivers governor did not mention any name, he said the strategy of the federal government won’t yield the expected results as an individual cannot have control over the assets in another man’s territory.
Fubara, who decried the neglect of the state by the federal government, called on the delegation to ensure that the outcome of their task would be beneficial to both the federal and the state governments.
The governor said, “Security of the pipeline should not be given to one man or one person. How can someone from Kalabari be controlling the pipeline in Ogoni? There is no way it will work. We must look at bringing all the key people in the various communities.
“Two of our sons from Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom are heading the Ministry of Petroleum. We don’t want them to fail. We must give them the necessary support.”
Fubara said that Rivers waged a strong war against the illegal refining of crude oil under the leadership of the immediate past Governor, Nyesom Wike and that his administration won’t lower the bar.
Addressing the governor, the NSA said the delegation was in Rivers at the instruction of the president.
He said the delegation was billed to visit Rivers and other Niger Delta states with a marching order from President Bola Tinubu to end crude oil theft and illegal refining of petroleum.
Ribadu said the president believes that “indeed this part of Nigeria matters a lot; not just the resources but of course the people of the Niger Delta need to live in peace.”
“He has given an instruction. As you see here, this is the entire federal might. Strategic individuals and offices are here assembled.
“This is a clear demonstration of a commitment and a belief that indeed, the time has come for us to open a new chapter.
“We believe that it is time to do the right thing and we’re going to do it,” the NSA said.
On his part, Badaru said the nation needs to secure its assets, adding that the inspection of the assets will enable the delegation to see the challenges and consider the best ways to resolve them.
