Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman on Wednesday assumed duties as the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Speaking at a brief handing over ceremony at the headquarters of the Central Naval Command, the immediate past Commander, Rear Admiral Stanly Ogoibe, noted that he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the Navy and the Country.

He said that under his command, he worked within the limits of available resources to reduce oil theft and associated maritime crime within his area of responsibility.

He said that the command was saddled with enormous responsibilities as 80 percent of onshore oil facilities were domiciled within its area of operations.

He noted that the numerous shallow water creeks were more difficult to patrol as it required flat bottom boats which was in short supply in the Navy’s fleet adding that the command needed such small boats for effective patrols.

He however noted that more efforts were required to further achieve zero level of oil theft as envisioned by the Chief of Naval Staff.

According to him, he enlisted the support of oil communities as stakeholders, a situation that led to re-opening of a Shell pipeline that increased oil production by 10,000 metric tons of crude daily.

He urged officers and ratings to cooperate with the incoming FOC to achieve his objectives.

In his speech at the ceremony, the incoming FOC, Suileman solicited the support of officers and ratings of the Central Naval Command to cooperate with him to achieve the short, medium and long term objectives of the Chief of Naval Staff.

He stated that the objectives were geared towards safeguarding Nigerian territorial waters as well as protecting onshore and offshore oil and gas facilities.

He advised them to shun illegalises as he promised to lead by example.

“If I am not involved in illegalises, I wonder how my commanders will be involved in any illegality, let us all work to bring out the Nigerian Navy in good light,” Suilemain said.

Until his appointment as Flg Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Suleiman was Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command Apapa, Lagos.