Yenagoa—The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas has assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Navy will continue to do everything possible to protect the nation’s assets.
He disclosed that the Central Naval Command was focusing more on the fight against illegal oil theft, adding that the rate of oil theft is alarming.
Abbas made this known on Thursday when the leadership of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel (FCC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Bayelsa State Chapter paid him a courtesy visit, thanking them for commending the activities of the Navy.
He also applauded the cordial relationship between the Command and the media.
“We will do all we can to protect the national facilities because we are aware that that is where the nation gets its revenue from. So we know that if we don’t project it, we will be in trouble. We will do all that we are supposed to do to guide our wealth.
“I’m delighted at your visit and I will not take that for granted because the media is a very important tool for governance and as a military man, I know the importance of media especially when it has to do with the issue of security agencies.
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“Thank you for commending our effort in the waterways. We are doing our best but what we are taking seriously now is oil theft.
“So far so good. We have a very good relationship with the media and we shall continue to partner with you to showcase our success through you and possibly pass important information through you,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the FCC, Tife Owolabi told the FOC that the reason for the visit was to seek synergy between the group and the navy.
His words, “We are partners in progress, especially in the area of security.
“We need to cement the symbiotic relationship to make Nigeria great. We are partners and we can’t wait until something happens before we can come. We want you to see us as one of your own.”
The Chairman also used the opportunity to remind the Navy of the Chapel’s annual lecture whose discourse deals with the issue of security.
He reminded the Navy to be on alert because of the high rate of insecurity in the country.
“Navy used to be on the waterways. We want you to be on alert in case you witness anything. We commend you for the good work that you are doing,” he said.
