Edo boosts security on waterways with new gun, speedboats

Edo State Government, through the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas   Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC), has procured additional four armoured gunboats and four speedboats to curb criminal activities along the state’s coastal areas and waterways.

This is contained in a statement issued, yesterday, by the Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Mr. Crusoe Osagie.

Chairman of EDSOGPADEC, Kennedy Osifo, who spoke to journalists on behalf of other board members immediately after inspecting the gun and speedboats, said the new armoured equipment would improve security in three oil and gas producing communities including Ologbo in Ikpoba-Okha council and Gelegele in Ovia North East LGA of the state.

The commission’s chair further explained that the acquisition of the boats is part of efforts by the Godwin Obaseki administration to create a business-friendly environment and attract more investment into the state, in line with government’s vision to make Edo great again.

Osifo revealed that the commission has completed the construction of a marine base at Ologbo River, as well as a modern jetty with a waiting lounge and other essential facilities for passengers and police officers in Ologbo community in Ikpoba-Okha.

He added that the gun and speedboats would be handed over to the marine police command of the Nigeria Police Force to improve service delivery to the people of the communities and curtail the activities of sea pirates and other criminal elements on the waterways.

Osifo hailed Obaseki for his commitment to ameliorating the plights of Edo people through EDSOGPADEC and promised to support the realization of the governor’s Making Edo Great Again (MEGA) agenda.

Obaseki also, yesterday, swore in seven Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and 25 Special Assistants (SAs), following harmonisation by leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oredo council.

Obaseki, who performed the inauguration at Government House, Benin City, said: “I had to wait, take my time and ensure harmonization of the party in the LGA before making this appointment. Politics in Oredo LGA is very sensitive and the barometer through which Edo politics is judged. If we fail to get Oredo right, it will be difficult and challenging to get Edo State politics right.

“During our electioneering, we went around and made promises to the people and we must fulfill those promises or else they will tell us that they have the voting power when the election comes again. What we did on September 19, 2020 governorship election has become a reference point for Nigeria’s democracy.”