The Nigerian government said on Thursday it will step up security in the creeks of oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Muhammad Babandede stated this during an audience with Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani.

Babandede, who decried the dearth of patrol boats to effectively monitor the creeks and rivers in the Niger Delta, called for collaborative efforts to address the situation.

He called on the minister to support the NIS in developing the Marine Unit of the NIS to be fully operational by providing the required patrol boats and strengthening the capacity of officers in the region.

Babandede also decried the abuse of the expatriate quota regime by companies and expatriates doing business in the Niger Delta.

According to him, one of such abuses is the failure to implement the understudy policy of government aimed at technology transfer and creating job opportunities for Nigerian youths.

The minister said his ministry will collaborate with the NIS to deal with insecurity in the Niger Delta.

He called on stakeholders both within and outside the region to collaborate with the ministry in its bid to fast track development and security in the region.

He described the region as key to the economic survival of Nigeria, and called on youths in the region to collaborate with security agencies in ensuring security in the area.  

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2016)