The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, unveiled the multi-million naira, state-of-the-art Strategic Naval Location in Bayelsa State over the weekend, reaffirming the Commission’s unwavering commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking in his hometown of Ayakoro Community, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, where he constructed the facilities, including a fully furnished administrative block, accommodation block, two units of gun boats, and an operational floating jetty, among others, Ogbuku emphasised that one of the primary responsibilities of any government is to ensure security and development, describing the two as inseparable pillars of national progress.

He observed that President Tinubu’s administration has provided crucial support and played a complementary role in enabling the NDDC to carry out projects such as the newly unveiled state-of-the-art Strategic Naval Location in Ayakoro.

He said, “This project represents part of the administration’s commitment to enhancing security in the Niger Delta. The President’s strategic investment in security has yielded tangible results — crude oil production has risen from one million barrels per day to 2.2 million barrels per day,” Dr Ogbuku stated. “This achievement is a testament to improved security, stakeholder engagement, and collective effort.”

“Those are part of the legacies we want to leave behind. We have so many projects that we are going to commission after now, in commemoration of our second year anniversary as the board of the seventh Governing Board of the NDDC.

“So, all this we’ve been able to achieve. But coming to this particular project, the Nigerian Navy is going to be the beneficiary of this project, but it is also going to benefit the citizens of Niger Delta and the community where the project is located, because the project is aimed at protecting and providing security for the waterways of the Niger Delta, because every waterway is a gateway for criminals to perpetrate crime, but not until we’re able to secure all our waterways we will not be able to curb criminality.

“This is also one of these points because this specific location was chosen by the Nigerian Navy due to its strategic position. From this junction, a creek extends towards Southern Ijaw, leading directly to Sangana. If this place had not been blocked in the past, kidnappers and those involved in illegal oil activities and artisanal refining would have used it to move their products, evacuating them through Onuembu.

“So this facility here helps prevent such criminal activities in the area. It also stops those intending to commit crimes in Yenagoa, such as kidnapping, by blocking their escape route. With this facility in place, they have no choice but to be deterred, and it also protects the entire stretch of this river.

“And I can assure you, since the arrival of the Nigerian Navy, crime has really reduced in the entire creek, in this entire river, so that is the benefit of this facility.”

The State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who was represented by Brig. Gen. Eric Angaya commended the NDDC for its numerous developmental projects across the state, including the ongoing 650-bed hostel project at the state-owned Nigeria Delta University, Ammasoma.

While praising the Commission’s efforts to drive socio-economic development and infrastructure growth in the region, the governor urged communities in the Niger Delta to collaborate with and support security agencies in protecting economic assets and investments.

He said, “I urged traditional rulers, community youth leaders and other stakeholders to work with the Navy and other security forces to build trust to reevaluate tensions where they exist and channel the energy of the youths in constructive programs.”

Similarly, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, represented by the Commander of the Joint Task Force Operations Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Noel Madugu, expressed gratitude to the NDDC for constructing the Strategic Naval Location in Ayakoro. He praised the facility’s modern administrative block, the provision of gunboats, and Toyota Hilux operational vehicles, which will improve naval operations in the area.

Rear Admiral Madugu also praised the Ayakoro Community for generously donating several hectares of land to the Nigerian Navy for establishing a Navy School, and expressed appreciation to the Bayelsa State Government for its ongoing support.

Representing the community and the council of chiefs, Chief Clever Apkoti described the project as a demonstration of Dr. Ogbuku’s visionary leadership.

“We are profoundly thankful to God Almighty and to Dr. Ogbuku for this developmental milestone in our community,” Apkoti remarked.