By Jimitota ONOYUME

The Nigerian Army said it has stepped up its crusade against illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta.

The renewed vigour, Sweetcrude gathered, was informed by a directive by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, while in Port Harcourt, to commission some projects donated to the Port Harcourt Army Barracks by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Projects commissioned were a 30-flat complex built by the NDDC and the five officers’ quarters renovated by the commission.

Ihejirika, who commended the NDDC for its generosity, expressed worries over the rising cases of oil theft in the region, said he was going to meet with his men on the issue.

The Chief of Army Staff in a brief chat with Sweetcrude, said his men were going to step up the crusade against oil theft, so as to rid the region of illegal bunkerers.

Meanwhile, the NDDC on its part assured that it would continue to partner with the military and other security operatives to be able to effectively discharge its responsibilities as an interventionist agency in the region.

The Acting Managing Director of the Commission, Dr Christy Atako, said this partnership informed the decision of the Commission to carry out some projects at the Elele Barracks, in Emohua local government area of Rivers State.

Atako said the NDDC and the military were largely in the region to achieve enduring development for the area, adding that there was the need for the NDDC to support the operations of the army.

According to her, the NDDC will always need a secure atmosphere to carry out its task of addressing challenges of under development in the region.

The projects commissioned were a 2.7-kilometre road; a 59-pole solar street light and rehabilitated residential quarters at the 343 Artillery Regiment, Elele Barracks in Emohua Local Government Area.

Atako who performed the commissioning ceremony, said the military would continue to enjoy support from the Commission because of its strategic role of defending lives and properties. She added that for the commission to succeed as an interventionist agency, it would need the assistance of the military in the area of security

Her words, “We have donated facilities and equipment to the different formations of the Nigerian security organization or agencies. Just recently we commissioned 100 Patrol jeeps for the Police and today we are here to commission projects for the Army.

“You must have illumination, you must see where you are going, and you must have the presence of light around you to be able to handle your enemies. This is why we are also commissioning a street light here.