Militants attack Nordin offshore shipyard.
Militants attack Nordin offshore shipyard just before New Vessel Launch on January 30
Suspected Militants attack Nordin offshore shipyard facilities at the new Norfin Offshore Shipyard in the boundary shoreline of Ikot Ukpong in Oruk Anam, Akwa Ibom State.
The armed men reportedly arrived the yard at about 5am on Monday shooting sporadically to scare off security workers around the site before unleashing their explosives into the multimillion naira dredging facility of the company.
Briefing newsmen at the ship yard, Chairman, Norfin Offshore shipyard Ltd, Engr. Iniekong Charles Udonwa lamented the huge damage done to facilities at the ship yard by the suspected militant group from Ogoni part of Rivers State.
According to Udonwa, they came into the shipyard and shot sporadically as staff on duty fled for their lives leaving bullet marks on parts of the building.
“They said we cannot start any business if the government of Akwa Ibom does not settle them.
“The kept telling our staff to tell the government of Akwa Ibom to reach out to them since the are in charge of both Rivers and Akwa Ibom state. Where do they expect me to get N20m naira for them after destroying our machine worth N60 million
He reiterated that the incident had discouraged him greatly as it has affected expansion activities, causing him to strongly consider taking the investment elsewhere.
The Chairman said it was borne out of his desire to contribute to the development of the State by providing employment opportunities for her teeming youths.
At the last count he said, over 100 staff were working at the Ship yard with 4 of those from neighbouring Rivers State.
Engr. Udonwa appealed for a prompt intervention from the State government to forestall a recurrence of the ugly incident.
On the site were some policemen led by the area Divisional Police Officer, Kelechi Amadi, who declined to comment on the matter, but when contacted, the State Police Spokesperson Odiko Macdon assured that he will comment on the matter once he is briefed.
Meanwhile, the 9meter MV Swift Security vessel earlier scheduled for launch this weekend, will now be launched on January 30,2021.
The management said the decision to postpone the date of the launch was regrettable and apologize for the inconveniences.
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