By: Emmanuel Nlewedum
Commanding Officer, 29 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Col. M. S. Mashegu has pledged to ensure enhanced synergy between the military and the Gokana local government council to ensure sustainable peace and security in the area.
Mashegu made the pledge at an event in Gokana where he commissioned the Joint Tasks Force (JTF) accommodation built by the Council Chairman, Confidence Dekoo as part of activities to mark his one hundred days in office.
He also used the medium to call on traditional rulers and the people of Gokana to help the military and other security agencies with the much needed support in order to continuously enjoy a peaceful environment.
He thanked the chairman for the project and promised to work with him to provide to enhance security in the area.
“I appreciate the effort of the chairman and chiefs in this local government in providing a very conducive accommodation for our people to carry out their responsibility.
“Out of the thirteen local governments my unit is providing security for, Gokana is one that has been very troublesome in the past.
“I want to address our royal fathers, because this is your responsibility, the chairman of council, the JTF, the DPO here cannot do it on their own, we need your support by talking to these youths. They are not coming from outside, they are within us, you know them, we know the bad elements in the society but some of us choose to side with them and allow them cause trouble.
“Since I assumed command of the 29 Battalion, I have tried with the help of the chairman to improve security in this area, it is now turn for the society to give us back via information and the hideouts of these criminals.
“So please, I’m begging our royal fathers, talk to our youths, engage them for the sake of peace, if there is no peace there would be no development and youths empowerment.
“We promise not to relent in our efforts, rather we will redouble our efforts in providing security in this local government and ensure that it becomes one, if not the most peaceful LGA in Rivers State,” he said.
Earlier, in his address, Hon. Confidence Dekoo, Chairman, Gokana local government area said building a conducive accommodation for the army was part of the council’s contributions to encourage them carry out their responsibility of protecting and providing adequate security for the people.
He said his administration is committed to changing the negative narratives Gokana have been known for to a positive one.
“Gokana haven been known for all of the negatives, Gokana will turn and be known for peace, where development will begin to come out. We have been able to do all we are doing because there is peace and we believe it will continue like this.
“Our security architecture of the local government is going to be driven by our commitment, and in our communities, we have to know that the time we do and get away with it is over.
“We want to make Gokana a local government where the citizens can sleep with their eyes closed and we thank God that thus far, from the time we have been here, Gokana has experienced some level of peace but we are not stopping there or concluding that it’s all well yet.
“Today, we are handing over a six rooms accommodation built for the JTF here in Gokana. This gesture is to show that we are very committed to working in synergy with the 29 Battalion and ensure a healthy working relationship with them,” Dekoo stated.
He however called on the people of the area especially the youths to embrace peace and support his administration to move the area to another level.
