Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Delta State Government has deployed a new security support vessel to strengthen maritime surveillance and combat oil theft, illegal bunkering and other criminal activities along the state’s waterways.
The vessel, SSV-KALI 3, was inducted on Tuesday at the Yade Barge on the Niger River Bank in Ndokwa East Local Government Area by Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Oborevwori said the new vessel would improve the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure while supporting security agencies in tackling activities capable of undermining the state’s economy.
“SSV-KALI 3 will add valuable capacity to these efforts; it will strengthen maritime security, help protect oil and gas assets, and support the fight against oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes,” the governor said.
He said stronger maritime security was necessary to protect investments, support oil and gas production and create a safer operating environment for businesses across Delta State.
The governor also highlighted the vessel’s local origin, noting that it was designed and constructed in Delta State and represented the technical capabilities and industrial potential of local businesses.
“This is an important occasion for SEEPCO, Delta State and Nigeria. We are celebrating not only a new security vessel, but also indigenous capacity, local content and a successful partnership between the private sector and the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
Oborevwori commended the partnership between Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited and the Nigerian Navy, saying collaboration between government, security agencies and private operators was critical to strengthening maritime security.
He said the state government would continue supporting initiatives that promote local content, create jobs and expand indigenous participation in the state’s economy.
The governor added that Delta had been working with security agencies to improve intelligence sharing, coordination and rapid response around oil-producing communities and waterways.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the vessel’s induction demonstrated the value of cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and private-sector operators in protecting Nigeria’s maritime environment and critical energy infrastructure.
Abbas assured credible private-sector organisations of the Navy’s continued willingness to collaborate on initiatives aimed at improving maritime security.
A representative of SEEPCO, Raj Bhargava, said the vessel was delivered in partnership with the Nigerian Navy to strengthen maritime safety and protect personnel operating on Nigeria’s waterways.
The deployment of SSV-KALI 3 is expected to boost security operations across Delta’s oil-producing communities and waterways while supporting efforts to protect assets vital to the state’s economy.
