Major General Jamal Abdussalam calls for heightened protection of national infrastructures in the Niger Delta
In a resounding call to action, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, has urged troops under the 16 Brigade’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) to intensify efforts in safeguarding critical national infrastructures. This charge came during his visit on January 17, 2024, where he not only addressed the troops but also commissioned multiple transformative projects.
Speaking at the 16 Field Engineer Regiment (FER) in Toru-Orua, Sagbama LGA, General Abdussalam stressed the importance of ensuring the protection of vital national assets. He emphasized the need for troops to continue their commendable work in dismantling illegal refineries and putting an end to pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta Region (NDR). The GOC highlighted the direct link between uninterrupted oil production, export quotas, and increased revenue for the nation. Any disruptions, he noted, adversely affect these crucial factors.
“You must sustain the operational tempo against pipeline vandals and economic saboteurs,” the GOC emphasized, underscoring the strategic significance of the troops’ role in maintaining the stability and prosperity of the Niger Delta.
During his visit, General Abdussalam commissioned several projects aimed at enhancing the well-being and operational efficiency of the troops. Among these were a one-storey 20-family Corporal and Below Quarters (CBQ) at Toru-Orua, designed to accommodate troops and their families. Other commissioned projects included the official residence for the Commander of the 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army Post Exchange (NAPEX), Soldiers’ Canteen, Number 2 Gate at Camp Tukur Yusufu Buratai in Yenagoa, and the Regimental Sergeant Major’s official residence.
Brigadier General Sadisu Yakasai, the Commander of the 16 Brigade, expressed gratitude to the GOC for his support and guidance, acknowledging the positive impact of the projects on the Brigade’s operations and the welfare of its officers and soldiers.
The visit also featured the unveiling of a street named after the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja, the commissioning of Officers’ transit accommodation, and a tree planting campaign in alignment with the 16 Brigade’s biodiversity drive.
As the Atlantic Post closely monitors developments in the Niger Delta, the commitment of the military to safeguarding critical national infrastructures remains paramount in ensuring the region’s stability and economic prosperity.
