The Nigerian Army has again commended Governor Seriake Dickson of
Bayelsa State for placing security as one of his administration’s top
priority and for his continued support to security agencies, as well
as the provision of modern crime fighting equipments.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai gave the commendation,
when he led other senior military officers on an official visit to the
governor in Government House, Yenagoa on Tuesday.
Gen. Buratai, who said he was in the state to formerly operationalize
the new 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, thanked the governor for the
allocation of the temporal area for the brigade and the efforts to
secure its permanent site.
According to him, the Nigerian Army has continued to enjoy massive
support from the Bayelsa State Government, despite the current
economic challenges and assured that, the Army will reciprocate by
working with other sister agencies to make the state safer.
While announcing plans to set up a new Battalion in Nembe,
headquarters of Nembe local government area, the Army Chief explained
that, Bayelsa State should be adequately secured at all times, because
of its strategic location and the massive national assets and
investment potentials it has.
He said ” While the Brigade settles down, I want to appreciate your
Excellency for all the support you have been rendering to the Nigerian
Army here in Bayelsa State, despite the challenge of resources. The
acquisition of the temporal site for the Brigade and the onging survey
of the permanent site is highly appreciated”.
Gen. Buratai equally applauded the governor for the huge
transformation in the state, through the provision of landmark
projects, especially the new Governor’s office, which he described as
gigantic and added that, it is another milestone for his
administration.
Responding, Governor Dickson thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and
the Army Command for fulfilling the pledge of setting up the new
brigade in the state, noting that, it will further strengthen the
security architecture of the State.
Governor Dickson, who formally commissioned the new 16 brigade
headquarters located at AIT/Elebele Road, charged the Army Command not
to allow the land for the permanent site of the brigade to lie fallow
for too long, while also tasking the visiting Army Chief on the
setting up good command schools and medical outfits to compliment the
development drive of the government.
“As you are aware our government has a very clear agenda on
development, very clear agenda on security and very clear agenda on
promoting prosperity. And, none of these can be achieved without first
establishing a conducive, peaceful and safe environment”.
On the proposed plan to inaugurate a battalion in Nembe, the governor
said, it is a welcome development, as it will completely bring all the
skirmishes in that area to an end, which hitherto was rampant, because
of its coastline and its location as a major gateway.
The governor used the occasion to hand over a written request asking
the Army to send its personnel to provide technical assistance by way
of physical training to students in all the newly built model schools
across the state, especially the flagship Ijaw National Academy at
Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area.