Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo state has expressed his desire towards the expansion of the Naval Facility at Oguta Lake in Oguta Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Uzodimma made his desire known when he received in audience the Flag-Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Fredrick F. Ogu who was on tour of formations under his Command which includes Finance and Logistics Command, Owerrenta.
The Governor commended the Naval Command at Owerrenta for the support and effectiveness in curbing crimes such as illegal oil bunkering, armed robbery and kidnapping that used to be a recurring event on the Imo borders of Owerrenta, Eche and Ngor-Okpala axis. He thanked the Naval at Owerrenta and other security Agencies for helping to burst the criminal syndicates that operated in area.
Governor Uzodimma said that Government cannot function effectively without the support of the security Agencies, and that it behooves the State governments to continue to encourage them to put in their best in their assigned responsibilities. He emphasized that until State Governments learn how to work in synergy with the Federal Agencies, the cost of governance will continue to be on the increase.
Informing the Governor of his mission to Imo State, Rear Admiral Ogu said he has come as a mark of respect to thank the governor for all his assistance and support to his officers and men in Imo State.
Rear Admiral Ogu thanked the Governor, especially on the establishment of “Operation Search and Flush” Security outfit and the vehicles the government donated to the Command in the State that have helped in no small measure in the fight against crime along the borders and the waterways.
He said reports available to them show that crime of all kinds such as oil bunkering, kidnapping and armed robbery has reduced in Imo State and pledged that the Navy will continue to provide support to the State in the areas of eradicating all criminal elements in the society.
The Commander lauded the Governor for donation of hospital at Owerri North to the Nigerian Navy and requested that the State helps them with the relevant papers to enable them approach the Nigerian Senate for funds to furnish and operate the facility.
The Commander, Nigerian Naval Finance and Logistics Owerrenta, Commodore H. S. Abdulahi and Commodore Desmond O. Igbo were on the delegation while the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu and the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie joined Governor Uzodimma to receive them.