The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has charged soldiers and officers of the 6 Division Nigerian Army, to square up with oil thieves sabotaging the nation’s economy through illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta area.
The COAS noted the illicit act of the oil thieves was affecting the stability of the economy, stressing the effort of the officers in tackling the menace will scale up oil production from the position it is presently.
Addressing the soldiers during his official visit to the 6 Division Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Oluyede revealed that President Bola Tinubu has given them marching orders to end oil theft and vandalism of government assets in the region.
Oluyede, accompanied by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam and other senior officers during the visit, charged the military officers to ensure that there is maximum achievements in the fight against oil theft.
According to him, being the major source of economic revenue of the country, if oil assets are not protected, Nigerians will continue to suffer hardship because as the Dollar value continues to increase, the cost of food and other commodities will continue to shoot up higher.
Oluyede said: “There is no other way as it is now that the Dollar will come down if the government does not make money from oil – because oil is the mainstay of the economy.
“So, if we are not making money from oil, the Dollar will keep on rising and that means food and everything will be expensive. Now, Nigeria is our country; we do not have any other country so we must make Nigeria work.
“So why I am here this afternoon is to charge you because we have been given the responsibility to safeguard all oil infrastructure in Niger Delta and that we must do well. I have spoken to your Brigade Commanders. I have told my officers that they lead you well, I am sure you will do your work well. And they are going to lead you well.”
He advised soldiers: “If anybody tells you to go and do anything illegal, tell them that the Chief of Army Staff said that you should not do it. As your father, I will beg you to do what is correct. Now, as your leader, if you do not do what is correct, I will deal with decisively with offenders.
“So, if you don’t want to be in soup, just go and do your work and do it well. Like I told you, I know this environment very well. I was the GOC here, so there is nothing you can tell me. So go tell your colleagues that this is my message.”
Assuring the soldiers of better life awaiting them in the nearest future, the COAS told them that “There is no other way to earn money for Nigeria. And let me tell you, I have told Mr. President about our predicament in the Army.
Talking about accommodation, kitting, whatever – where is the government going to get the money if they do not have money from oil?
No, tell me, where else will they get the money? Now, if you do your part, I will do my part.
In the next few weeks, you will see that things will start changing. Even your Ration Cash Allowance (RCA) we are working on it so that we can have something better for you. And the same thing we are going to do with kitting and accommodation.”
He further stated: “There will be massive accommodation for you (soldiers) so that you can have places to live with your families. But if we do not make the government earn money, where will they get money? There is no other way”.
Earlier, the Army Chief participated in the decorations of 11 senior officers to higher ranks, held at the Officers Mess of the Division.
Blessing Ibunge
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