Commodore Rotimi Oderemi, Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, has disclosed that the entire Warri Channel as well as the adjoining creeks and islands now have 24 hours naval presence, seven days a week.
Oderemi said this on Tuesday when the leadership and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River Council paid him a courtesy visit in Calabar.
The commander who was delighted following the visit of the Union, said they had also ensured mobile patrols around the Eastern Naval Command to to ensure that artisans, fishermen and other legitimate water users do their work in peace.
“I am proud to tell you that the entire warri channel as well as the adjoining creeks as well as the islands have naval presence 24/7.
“This is to ensure that the nations waterways are safe for users and sabotage of the nation’s resources is nipped in the bud,” he said.
He thanked NUJ for their readiness to partner with the Nigerian Navy to project its activities and successes to the people.
He also added that as stakeholders in national development, NNS Victory was ready to support the activities of NUJ beyond even security lines.
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On her part, Mrs Archibong Bassey, Chairman of NUJ, Cross River Council, said it was customary for a new executive in the state to visit NNS Victory to reassure the Navy of the union’s commitment to partner with them.
Bassey appreciated the Navy for their role in ensuring that the tide of crude oil theft was stemmed on the nation’s territorial water ways.
She said the Navy went as far as putting their lives on the line to checkmate economic sabotage along the nation’s waterways.
According to her, “I have observed that issues of sea piracy have reduced drastically along the nation territorial waterways, those who travel by boat from Calabar to Oron in Akwa Ibom can testify to this.
“Thank you for helping us checkmate illegal bunkering, because of the enormous work you have done, we can travel safely through the nation’s waterways,” she maintained. (NAN)
