The Degema Local Government Area Chairman, Hon. (Dr) Tony Philmoore has denied the complicity of his office in the recent piracy attack in Bille Waterways that claimed a life and injured many others, which public outcry led to the intervention of the Rivers State House of Assembly and invariably the recent security initiative by the state governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the launching of the “Operation Sting” initiative over the weekend in Port Harcourt, the council boss, made it clear that the council had taken some security measures to protect lives and property in the waterways, especially the provision of armed escort to passenger boats to and fro Bille Kingdom before them.
He explained that it is possible that the hoodlums ambushed and targeted a gap in the convoy of the boats and struck on the faithful day, adding that his council had taken a pro-active measure to protect his people before the unfortunate incidence.
Hon. Philmoore used the opportunity to express his gratitude to the governor for the new security initiatives especially the procurement of gun boats for the protection of lives and property of the riverine dwellers.
“Today is my happiest day as far as security is concern I must confess, because when there is no peace, there is no development”, he declared.
The council boss also said governor Wike has demonstrate capacity in tackling the security challenges rocking the state, adding that they too at the grassroot will follow suit in collaborating his effort to ensure full compliance to achieve the overall goal. “Part of this pro-active measures, he explained, will be a constant patrol of the waterways to ensure that there is no gap for any eventuality”.
He however advised that the initiative should not be politicized nor the equipments and security cars given to the oil companies and their workers.
He made it clear that security is everyone’s responsibility and should not be left to the government or politicians alone, from the monitoring of our environment, to the giving out of information to the security operators and assisting in the dictating and arrest of criminal elements, we are all involved”, he stated.
Dr. Philmoore equally used the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to the peace, security and development of the council area and appeal for the support and cooperation of all.
