The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has assured that it will continue to support the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies in their efforts to provide security in the Niger Delta region.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, gave the assurance when the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, paid him a courtesy visit at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Ogbuku said that the NDDC appreciated the services of the police to the society, adding that as an interventionist agency, the Commission had a responsibility to make sure that those who protect the lives and property of the people were given the necessary backing to enhance their capacity to maintain security in the Niger Delta region.
He stated: “Security can only be achieved through collaboration and sharing of information. The NDDC has always been at the fore in supporting the police. We have executed a lot of projects to support the police and some are on-going. In the past, we provided patrol vehicles for the police across the region.”
The NDDC boss observed that without the support of the security forces, the Commission would not perform optimally, noting: “The police deserve all the support that they can get, because they are the ones working, while the rest of us are sleeping.”
Ogbuku called the attention of the police to the Marine Base axis, adjourning the NDDC headquarters, stating that “the Commission will collaborate with the police to improve the capacity of the marine command to provide adequate security in the riverine areas of the region.”
Speaking earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police said that the NDDC had demonstrated commitment to assisting the Nigeria Police to provide adequate security in the Niger Delta region.
He commended the NDDC for providing facilities to enhance the operations of the Police and other security agencies and urged it not to relent. He said that the police needed the cooperation and support of all organisations to succeed.
“We acknowledge the role the NDDC has been playing in the Niger Delta and its assistance to the Police. We will cooperate with NDDC and also seek your assistance in some areas. Niger Delta is important to the economy of Nigeria. NDDC projects and facilities need to be protected and we are here to assist.”
“We are here to seek collaboration on how best we can improve the security of lives and properties in the state. The policing pattern in Lagos, Kaduna and other areas, is different from what is obtainable in the Niger Delta. We know the importance of the Niger Delta to the economy of nation and the task of securing the region.”
In his remarks, the NDDC Executive Director Projects, Sir Victor Antai, thanked the police for acknowledging the contributions of the NDDC to the Niger Delta region and commended the security agencies for keeping the peace in the region and making it safe for everyone.
