Outgoing Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Musa Gemu has  expressed fears that ,until the issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is addressed,  the realization of the smooth take off of the  Federal Government $16 billion   Gas City/EPZ project in Warri South  Local Government Area of Delta State may take a little longer.
Commodore Gemu, made this known at the handing over ceremony in his honour at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta in Warri.
“The ground breaking Ceremony has been carried out to lay foundation for the take off of the EPZ Gas project.
“However, unless the Ugborodo people address the issue of the internally Displaced Persons, realization of this project is still on a long journey which the Federal Government must address as quickly as possible, putting in mind the constitution of Nigeria which surpasses any customs and tradition of any community,” he said.
While reeling out what he termed, “modest achievements,” during his tenure from  February 21, 2014,  when he came on board as the commander, NNS DELTA,  Commodore Gemu thanked officers and men of the Base for their  discipline and co-operation without which according to him, his tenure would not have been successful.
According to him, efforts  have been made towards positioning the Base in order to effectively  carry out its traditional function of policing to meet regularly; additional task of OPERATION PULO SHIELD.
He said that with collective will and determination, the waterways have become safe for economic  activities to thrive and  drastic reduction of illegal oil bunkering activities.
Speaking further, Gemu said, “It is on record that under my watch, NNS DELTA has arrested and destroyed more than 230 wooden boats laden with crude oil, five ships were equally arrested for crude oil theft and over 3,500 illegal oil Refineries were also destroyed with over 34,00 MT of crude oil and other Petroleum related product in over 19 camps.”
On his relationship with oil companies and Host Communities, he said, “I applied the wisdom of talking; on he table you resolve issues rather than holding companies to ransom or using violence to drive home a point .
It is on record equally that because of this approach, no life was lost during my tenure.”
He also emphasised that in line with the CNS aspirations, naval officers must learn to live in harmony with civilians.
While urging men of the NNS DELTA to avoid complacency, Gemu said that inspite of the modest achievements, there is still a lot of work to be done by the Base. “I therefore urge you all to remain steadfast in your resolve to achieve the objectives of  the Base in line with the mission of the Chief of Naval Staff.”
He said that with the support of the CNS, the base will achieve more.
He enjoyed officers, ratings and civilian staff of NNS DELTA to extend the same support to his successor, Commodore A. A. Sule.
On his part, in coming Commander NNS DELTA, Commodore A. A. SULE, said security of lives and property, especially in the waterways, would be his priority, promising to build on the legacies of his predecessor.