By Miriam Humbe
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Olufemi Oluyede has charged troops of Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe (JTF SS OPDS) to discharge their duties with utmost professionalism and integrity.
Director Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba disclosed this in a statement signed on Thursday.
Gen Oluyede made the charge during the commissioning ceremony of Ultra Modern Non-Commissioned Officers Accommodation and remodelled Conference Hall at Headquarters JTF SS OPDS Igbogene Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The CDS further admonished the troops to avoid any form of illegal activity and compromise while doing their legitimate duties to safeguard oil infrastructure as they are critical to the nation’s economic sustainability.
He restated his commitment to leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that working and general well being of personnel of the Armed Forces is guaranteed through improved welfare packages that are currently being proposed.
He commended the Commander JTF SS OPDS Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo who executed the projects for adding value to the system.
The Commander JTF SS OPDS appreciated the CDS for making time out of his busy engagements to commission the project.
He stated that the projects were conceived and executed in line with the CDS Military Strategic Philosophy which has welfare of troops as one of it’s pillars.
He further stated that the Non Commissioned Officers Accommodation of Twenty Four apartments capacity is fitted with twenty four hours Solar power supply, water facility, beddings and cooling system for the comfort of the troops.
He re- emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the welfare of his officers and men are given utmost priority in order to boost their morale to continue to deliver on the OPDS mandate which is to protect oil and gas infrastructure, deter militancy, stop sea robbery and protect lives and property in the Niger Delta.
Present during the ceremony were the General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army Major General Emmanuel Emekah, the Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command represented by his Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal JJ Ijugigal, the Commander 16 Brigade Brigadier General Nurulhayat Mohammed, Principal Staff Officers from Defence Headquarters among others.
