Posted by By Eugene Agha on
The Flag Officer Com-manding (FOC), Western Naval Com-mand, Commodore John Kpokpogri, at the weekend fingered internal collaborations in the vandalisation of oil installation and bunkering in the Niger Delta area.
The Flag Officer Com-manding (FOC), Western Naval Com-mand, Commodore John Kpokpogri, at the weekend fingered internal collaborations in the vandalisation of oil installation and bunkering in the Niger Delta area.
He specifically blamed officials of some of the companies operating in the Niger Delta for allegedly aiding some of the bunkerers to carry out their illegal duties within and around the nation's waters and creeks.
He therefore urged the companies to look inwards in finding lasting solutions to the problem. He cited cases of dismissed engineers, technicians and other contract staff in the business of vandalisation of pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
"The professional way these oil installations are vandalised, cut or blown up is surprising. No illiterate can do such jobs except professionals who have done such jobs in the past. If you look at those arrested for oil bunkering, you will know that these people cannot buy barges and even the crude," he said.
Similarly, the FOC warned officers and ratings attached to NNS Delta command to steer clear of bunkering business, stressing the command is determined to deal with anyone or group of officers arrested for their alleged involved in the illegal deal.
"We have an antecedent that we have never condone any illegal bunkering here. You should not connive with crude oil thieves and sea pirates to destroy the wealth of the nation If you connive with these people, you will be caught and thrown out. Don't be on the fast lane because you are going to crash. If you cut corners and you are caught I will not spare you," he warned
Commodore Kpokpogri also warned the officers to stay away from partisan politics, stressing that the country was in a democratic dispensation and naval officers were not expected to be involved in politics.
"Our barracks are not meant to be used for campaign, let the politicians do their campaign outside the barracks", he noted.
He however, advised officers to try to protect, at all time, civilian whom he said were brothers and sisters to officers. He said: "We are not expected to brutalise them. No body should harass Civilians. The momentum of political activities is beginning to peak up. No politicking in our barracks. Campaigns are outlawed in our barracks."
He also appealed to them not to get themselves involved in rent collection, because it was not the constitutional responsibility of the navy to collect rent from tenants on behalf of an aggrieved landlord
"No landlord should use you to collect rent because I know that is what is rampant here," he warned.
On the move by the navy to commence the destruction of seized barges, the FOC stated that he would not hesitate to destroy them if he gets a presidential directive to that effect.
He said: "I am the first serving naval officer in history to blow up barges. I will not hesitate to do it again if I have a Presidential directive to do so. If that same directive is given again tomorrow, we will do it again. You know that oil is the mainstay of the economy and the navy has a duty to protect it."
While addressing the press at end of the tour, the Flag Officer appealed to the government to give the navy more flat bottom boats so that they could carry out their duties in the Command more effectively.
He added: "We are appealing to the government to give us more flat bottom boats so that we could patrol the creeks effectively and continue with our policing role of policing the nations over 3000 creeks in the Niger Delta region. He added that before the end of the year, the navy would acquire more helicopters to beef up the naval arsenal."
On the impounded 200 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit, he said he has directed the Commanding Officer of NNS Delta Naval Chief Captain Mufutau Ajibade to invite the police to take the quantity of the seized products to be presented as exhibits during the trials of the seven arrested suspects.