Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has challenged members of the Joint Task Force South South, Operation Delta Safe, to intensify their fight against oil theft and illegal operation of refineries in the State.
Speaking on Friday, when he received a delegation of the sector commanders of the Joint Task Force team charged with the responsibility to secure oil and gas operations in 10 states of the South South, South East, and South West, Governor Otti described those who engage in the stealing and illegal refining of the nation’s crude oil as enemies of the country.
“Those who operate illegal refineries and other activities, those are the enemies of the state and should be treated as such.
“Be they in Aba or in Ukwa or Port Harcourt or Bayelsa or any of the other 10 states, where you operate. The long arm of the government must be made to catch up with them,”Governor Otti stated.
He used the occasion to appeal to the task force to also work to secure the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park (AIIP) at Owaza, in Ukwa West and assured them of the support of the State Government in terms of logistics and intelligence sharing to make their assignment easier.
Governor Otti described security as a top priority of his administration and made it clear that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity.
In his speech, the Commander, Joint Task Force South – South Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral John Okeke, said he was in Abia to familiarise with the State as one of their coverage areas in the fight against oil theft and illegal refineries among the oil producing states.
Rear Admiral Okeke assured that the task force would collaborate with the State Government as well as other security agencies in the area of information sharing and solicited the support of Abia Government in the area of logistics to enable them achieve their mandate.
