Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara says his administration is doing everything possible to curb illegal bunkering activities, but some officers of the Nigerian Army are possibly compromised in parts of Ahoada East and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Areas of the State.
Governor Fubara made this known when he received the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja on a courtesy visit at Government House on Friday, said the suspected officers are attached to a particular company in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local government area.
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According to Sir Fubara: “one special problem that we have here is issue of bunkering. In some parts of the State, in Ahoada East and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, most of the bunkering activities there, we believe, is subsisting because there is this cooperation between the Army and high top oil companies.
“I’m saying this because there is this road we are constructing somewhere in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni and each time the contractor approaches this particular company and plead that they allow that they allow them go ahead with our job, the military will always come and attack our contractors.”
Governor Fubara explained how he had tried to resolve the problem without success because of the vested interest that the officers have, and urged the Chief of Army Staff to call them to order.
“Carrying out some assignments with any company does not give any person powers to decide for the State how things should be done. Look into the matter,” the governor added.
He commended the army and other security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and security across the state.
In his speech, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja said he was in Port Harcourt as part of visit to formations and units under his command following his assumption of office and thanked Governor Fubara for the continuous support, intervention and cooperation with the army to perform its operations that have fostered peace and stability in the State.
