Minister of Defence Visits 146 Battalion Bonny Island; Lauds Battalion, Other Agencies for Securing Island, National Assets, Tasks NLNG on T7 CSR

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru has commended 146 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, as well as other security agencies in Bonny, Rivers State for ensuring that critical national infrastructure on the island were safe and secure. 

Badaru gave this commendation on Monday, October 10, 2024 in an interview with Kristina Reports when he visited the Farouk Yahaya Camp, home of the Battalion in Bonny, Rivers State. 

The visit to Bonny was part of his maiden visit to 6 Division, Nigerian Army/Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), to boost the morale of the officers and troops serving under the unit.

On arrival at Bonny, the Defence Minister inspected the Quarter Guard at 146 Battalion Headquarters, Bonny, and also took briefing from the Commanding Officer, 146 Battalion, Lt. Col. Oyemade Oyewumi on the successful operations carried out by the Battalion under his watch.

Lt. Col. Oyewumi also advanced complaints by the leadership of Bonny Kingdom on the issue of non-implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects tied to the Train 7 project of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

Acknowledging the strategic role of Bonny in hosting the nation’s economic assets, the Minister asserted that the security of the island was a priority to the President Bola Tinubu led Federal Government.

He commended 146 Battalion, as well as Forward Operating Base, Bonny for their excellent work in safeguarding critical national infrastructure, particularly the Trans Niger Pipelines (TNP), noting that it has done well in ensuring internal security and assuring safety of the citizens, noting that the efforts of the Battalion were visible to all.

“The successes recorded in protecting the TNP in your area of responsibility demonstrate the excellent work you are doing. The maximum protection of the pipelines under your watch is commendable, and I urge you to sustain it.”

The Minister also praised the battalion for sustaining operations against economic sabotage, oil theft, and illegal refineries, noting that “it is gratifying to see that the TNP has no encumbrances, I urge your unit to maintain this achievement.”

Responding to the issue of incessant attacks and kidnappings on the Bonny River by hoodlums, Badaru promised that more resources will be made available to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies with a view to amplifying their capabilities.

At the Train 7 project site of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), based on briefing by the 146 Battalion Commanding Officer, the Minister, in his engagement with the Train 7 management team, took up the issue of complaints by Bonny Kingdom over the company’s failure to execute projects captured under its corporate social responsibility for the project.  

The projects include a vehicular terminal proposed to be sited at the boundary with Gokana LGA along the Bodo-Bonny Road, a 5,000 capacity stadium and sports academy, and the expansion of the road from Shell Terminal gate to Coal Beach, as well as Court Road down to the King Perekule Palace.

He consequently charged the company to expedite action in executing those projects and provide him with ongoing feedbacks, stressing the need for inclusivity in managing relations with host communities to strategic national assets, asserting that this remains the adequate panacea to insecurity.

Earlier, the Commanding Officer of 146 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Oyemade Oyewumi briefed the Defence Minister on the successful operations carried out by the Battalion under his watch, as well as advanced complaints of the leadership of Bonny Kingdom on the issue of non-implementation of CSR projects tied to the Train 7 project.

He emphasized the importance of protecting the TNP, which transports crude oil daily without third party interference, highlighting the unit’s successes in safeguarding critical national infrastructure, including the TNP in Nembe Creek Trunk Line and other key oil and gas installations, as well as intercepting pipeline vandalism attempts.

The Defence Minister was accompanied by Special Adviser on Technical Matters; Major General Ahmed Jibrin (Rtd.), General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army; Major General Jamal Abdusallam, Commander, 6 Division Garrison; Brigadier General Sani Ahmed, Commander, 46 Engineer Brigade; Brigadier General Eke Odoemele, and Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) to the Minister, Brigadier General Ahmed Garba, among others.

Badaru also visited Shell Nigeria’s Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal, Bonny, where he received briefings from the Terminal Manager, Victor Okahia.

At the NLNG Train 7 project site of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) the Minister of Defence was briefed on the status of the project by Health, Security, Safety, Environment and Social Performance (HSSE-SP) Manager, Niran Fadeyibi, who was accompanied by other top officials of the project implementors, SCD-JV (Saipem, Chiyoda and Daewoo Joint Venture).

The host, Lt. Col. Oyemade Oyewumi expressed gratitude to the Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, and the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdusallam, and other senior officers for the visit, assuring the Minister that his commendation to the Battalion will serve as motivation for improved performance going forward.

In attendance during the visit were the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Capt. Maksum Mohammed, Divisional Police Officer, Nigeria Police Force, Bonny Division, was represented by the Divisional Crime Officer, Innocent Asukpudha, and other senior officers.