The governor called for more cooperation and synergy among the security agencies to more effectively combat crime and sustain the peace in the state.
Gov. Okowa inspecting the guard of honour during the occasion
Chief Of Army Staff, presenting address at the inauguration of 63 Brigade Headquarters, Asaba, Delta
He noted that crimes, including farmers/headers clashes, kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism could be put on check, with good information sharing and community support.
Okowa pledged the state government’s resolve to continue to support the security agencies with logistics within its available resources to enable them to successfully fight crimes.
He thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, for being present for the inauguration of the headquarters.
“I want to thank the Chief of Army Staff for coming personally and I want to appreciate the cooperation among the security agencies and this has led to the peace the state has continued to enjoy.
“I believe with the full operationalisation of this brigade from today, we will generally witness peace, and with everybody’s hands on deck, we will continue to manage the existing peace.
He lauded the army engineers for the architectural work on the headquarters buildings and urged the Federal Government to fully harness the potentials of the engineers in building other infrastructure.
Okowa also urged the army to develop the permanent sites of its other outfits in the state in the state capital and to fully operationalise them.
The governor further presented the COAS with the Certificate of Occupancy of the headquarters premises.
Earlier, Buratai said that the inauguration of the 63 brigade headquarters marked the formal operationalisation of the brigade and its components in the state.
He thanked the state government for its continued support while appreciating the people for availing the military of information that had helped it achieve successes.
The COAS, however, acknowledged that the successes achieved by the army were as a result of the collective effort of the army and sister security agencies.
He pledged the brigade’s commitment to work in synergy with other agencies to ensure security and sustain the existing peace in the state.
“Your donation and funding for the development of this complex show indeed that there is a correlation between development and security in Delta State.
“I am not surprised as I acknowledge with thanks, the large expanse of land your government and the people have allocated for the permanent site of the brigade headquarters in Asaba.
“You have also provided means of mobility with 12 Nissan pick-up vans; we shall reciprocate this gesture by ensuring that peace exists in the state,” he said.
He said that as part of the army Corporate Social Responsibility, it was conducting a medical outreach to support the state government to provide health for all.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion was witnessed by traditional rulers, politicians and other stakeholders.