Bunkering: Civil defence praises Akwa Ibom for cooperation

Akwa Ibom State Government has been commended for its support towards making the Civil Defence Corps in the state succeed.

The state commandant, Mrs. Obiahjulu Obiageli gave the commendation during an interaction with the press.

She praised Akwa Ibom State Government for giving her freedom to do her job which is positively impacting on the masses. Obiageli appreciated the state government under the leadership of Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for providing enabling environment and logistic support for the corps to thrive.

According to her, 122 persons have been convicted for criminal cases, by the Civil Defence Corps under her leadership

The corps also prosecuted and won 50 cases as well as legally forfeited 13 trucks, 18 vehicles and other vehicles to the federal government from April 2016 till date.

Giving breakdown of achievements, she explained that 20 Navy handover cases were won, eight army handover cases won and one immigration handover case.

She further explained that eight of the cases bothered on armed robbery, rape/assault to Nigerian Police Force, and five bothered on human trafficking to NAPTIP, two on corruption to ICPC and one on illegal immigrants to Nigerian Immigration Service.

The commandant said that out of 25 cases reported to her office bothering on marital conflicts, land dispute, breach of contract, land-lord/tenants’ dispute, 11 were amicably resolved.

On private Guard Companies, Obiageli said 869 guards have been trained, registered three companies, renewed 19 operating license for 19 companies while three companies were sealed up.

She said, “We have been able to make great impact in the protection of critical assets and infrastructure, Private Guards matters, crises management, information and intelligence gathering and sharing, legal services to some agencies of government that signed memorandum of understanding (M.O.U) with the Corps, such agencies include but not limited to Nigeria Communication Commission (N.C.C), Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)”.

The state commandant warned members of the public to desist from bunkering and illegal refineries because of the devastating effect, loss of lives as well as the effect on the nation’s economy.

Her words “The masses should not deal on adulterated product because of the hazards involved, the way illegally refined kerosene kill and maim people is disastrous, if you don’t have genuine license to deal on petroleum product don’t , please desist from cutting corners. Nigerians should ensure they procure tested and satisfactory product”.

She explained that disaster protection and national security are inseparably linked and that the provision and protection against natural and man-made disasters must remain a top priority in national policy to ensure the welfare and security of people and territories.

The commandant maintained that there is great need for collaboration among the stake-holders of civil protection in the world.

The commandant said the corps had earlier had the 2018 Civil Defence Day celebration with the theme “Civil Defence and the National Institutions for more efficient disaster management” adding that World Civil Defence Day celebration is to promote public awareness about Civil Defence, Civil Protection and Emergency management in order to better prepare the civilian populace to protect itself in the event of emergency and to reduce the risk of disaster; as well as to pay tributes to the effort, sacrifices and accomplishments of all the national services responsible for the fight against disaster.