Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has said the security of Rivers State is directly connected to Nigeria’s economic survival because of the state’s central role in oil and gas production.
Fubara spoke at the inauguration of a rehabilitated runway at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Port Harcourt.
He said the project demonstrated cooperation between the state government and the military in protecting strategic national assets.
The governor said the upgraded runway would improve the Air Force’s operational capability in the South South.
He linked the facility to efforts against crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline vandalism and other threats to petroleum infrastructure.
Fubara said Rivers communities, waterways, industries and infrastructure carried national economic significance.
He argued that economic growth could not be sustained without adequate security.
The governor also said the runway would improve the safety and efficiency of aerial operations and strengthen rapid response capability.
He praised the Federal Government for supporting security reforms and said states also had a responsibility to assist security agencies.
Chief of the Air Staff Sunday Aneke commended the Rivers State Government for rehabilitating the runway.
He described the project as evidence of a strong partnership between the Nigerian Air Force and the state.
Aneke said the facility would support ongoing air operations, training and disaster response activities.
The Air Force also expects the improved runway to strengthen protection of critical infrastructure and increase operational flexibility across the region.
Fubara said the partnership between the state and the military extended beyond infrastructure to welfare and operational support for personnel.
