The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, in the Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, has inaugurated a borehole with a 6,000 capacity in the host community.

The base’s commanding officer, Capt. Uche Aneke, inaugurated the borehole on Friday and said the water project was part of FOB Ibaka non-kinetic exercise.

He said the rehabilitation was done to meet the dire need for clean water within the host community as part of Operation Delta Sanity III’s Civil-Military Cooperation Exercise (CIMIC).

Mr Aneke said the project’s inauguration was expedient following the Nigerian Navy’s importance on health and domestic sanitation.

He enlightened and admonished the people of the community on the importance and use of clean water in their daily activities.

The commanding officer also emphasised that under the current leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, such community service would be constant and sustained.

He warned the criminal elements in the area that the constant surveillance of areas under the FOB Ibaka Area of Operations and the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility would be sustained.

“The base will not rest on its oars and will sustain arrest of criminal elements with a view to actualising the mandate of Operation Delta Sanity III,“ he said.

He stated that Nigerian waters and the Nigerian coastal areas are not for illegal activities.

Earlier, Sunday Etim, the transition committee chairman of the Mbo Local Government Area, thanked the Nigerian Navy for providing access to clean water to its host community.

Mr Etim, represented by Ukoh Udombo, the supervisor for information and communication, urged the community to protect and maintain the project for the benefit of the people.

“I want to thank the Nigerian Navy for providing access to safe and reliable water to the people of Ibaka; we are really grateful to them,” he said.

(NAN)