Francis Sadhere

Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (middle) cutting tape to officially commission the new Navy Air Station in Effuru, Delta State, while the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba(left) and others look on.

The Nigeria Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba Vice Admiral has called for synergy between all security outfits in the state to combat terrorism, saying that terrorism, which has become a threat to the nation, must be nipped in the bud.

Vice Admiral Ezeoba made this call, today, at the official commissioning of the Nigerian Navy Air Station in Effurun/Warri, Delta State.

He said that the establishment of the Naval Air Station in Delta State was necessary due to the peculiar security nature of the Niger Delta region.

He said; “We have always wanted to expand and create more capacity, particularly as it patens to the Niger Delta Area, with its attended challenges that makes it germane for us to increase our robust operational capabilities which will help us to curb the illegalities that has become synonymous with this part of the country, particularly with crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. With this air base that has been established here today, we will have the capacity for quick response to threat and all the challenges mitigating against the efficient use of our waterways in and around the Niger Delta.”

He noted that the Nigeria Navy was the only security outfit in the state that has the capacity to fight in land, sea and water, reiterating the commands commitment to pursue the doctrine of joint operation.

“For those who do not know, the Nigeria Navy is the only service among the three other services that has a complete capacity to fight both on land, sea and air. So that unique capability is what makes Nigeria Navy thick and different among other services. In spite of this organic capacity that we have, we still believe in the doctrine of synergy of efforts and economy of resources. So in that inline we still make sure that we pursue the doctrine of joint operation, which of course is the backbone of modern strategic concept in the 21^st century,” he said.

He called on the private organizations who are interested in partnering with the Nigeria Navy to submit their memo, adding that the partnership will help in increasing the capacity of the Effurun/Warri Naval Air Station.

“I also want to say that with the thinking of the 21^st century, particularly with the dynamics of infrastructure development, and above all things, the capacity to maintain and sustain these structures. The Nigerian Navy will be willing to partner with any private sector entity that will want to come in and take up the management of this airbase, in partnership with the navy so that we can ensure sustainability and value addition as we make progress over the years. So for those of you, who have interest, do us a memo or a letter so that we can sit down and look at it and come out with a frame work that will allow us to partner with you and develop this edifice to the capacity that is desired so that we can optimize its use,” he said.

He also announced that the Nigeria Air Station in Ojor, has been upgraded to a full fledged type A Air Base, stressing that with the establishment of the Effuru/Warri Naval Air Station, the Nigeria Navy has added another milestone to its legacies.

“I am glad to report today that with this establishment being commissioned to the glory of God, we have added another milestone to those legacies that we bequite to the future generation of the Nigeria Navy. I will like to say that we have upgraded the naval air station, Ojor, to a full fledge type A air base. In other words Naval Air Station, Ojor will seize to be an air station, but has been upgraded to an air base. This unit here is type B and has the nomenclature as Naval Air Station Effurun/Warri.”

In his remark, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmaunuel Uduaghan who was represented by his Deputy, Professor Amos Utuama, while congratulating the Chief of Naval Staff for bringing the project to Delta State, said the state will continue to remember him for his contribution to the state.

He said; “From the address of the Chief of Naval Staff, he has underlined the significance and the importance of Air Station in Delta State. No doubt, it will be a good compliment to the naval response to any threat and of course, proactive surveillance over Delta State and the Niger Delta region. We need it at this point in time when the country is passing through unusual threats.”

“When America was talking about terrorism, we thought it was far away from us, but too soon thereafter it has gotten close to us that it calls for putting all hands on deck to ensure that wherever we perceive a threat, we are able to nip it in the bud before it becomes a real threat. No doubt, with the establishment of this Naval Air Station, it will go a long way in ensuring to stem any insecurity in Delta State in particular, and the Niger Delta in general.”

He said the new navy air station will contribute greatly to the quick response to security issues, mostly in the waterways, noting that all hands must be on deck to rid the nation off terrorist attacks.

The Governor said that the commissioning of the new Navy Air Station in the state was going to add value to the peace and security agenda of the state government, stressing that the state government was committed to making the state peaceful for investors to come in and do business.

He said; “Talking about Delta as a state, this air strip will add more value to the peace and security agenda of the state government, aimed at creating a state beyond oil. Because right now, apart from the cover the navy, military give to us, and of course the police, this will be another one that will give us additional mileage in ensuring that Delta State is safe for investors and for those who are living here, to do business and grow the state economy beyond just oil.”

Governor Uduaghan also noted that Delta State has a lot of human resources apart from oil, assuring the Chief of Naval Staff that the state was ready to support him all the way.

“In Delta State we believe that we have not just only oil but we have the people to make everything work in Nigeria. And for everything to work in Nigeria, we need people who are able to pursue their goals in any aspect of life, without any threat whatsoever,” he added.

He emphasized that with the establishment of the new Navy Air Station in Delta State, the Nigeria Navy now has the capacity to respond quickly to security issues in Niger Delta Waterways.

After the handing over of the commissioning warrant of the Warri Naval Air Station to Commodore H. S. Zego by the Chief of Naval Staff, the Deputy Governor cut the tape to officially commission the new Air Station.