10 December 2013, Abuja – BAYELSA Governor, Seriake Dickson, warned oil thieves and vandals of petroleum products pipelines in the state to desist from the practice or face punishment from next year.
Speaking at Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, during a tour, Dickson said government was disturbed by the alarming rate of oil theft and its effects on the state and nation’s economy.
Accompanied by the first civilian Governor of the State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, top Government functionaries, captains of industry and host of others, Dickson disclosed that necessary security apparatus were being put in place to curtail the act.
“A crack taskforce will be set up to clamp down on the perpetrators of the criminal acts,” he said.
He warned that anybody caught in the act will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Governor also called for the support of the people in the area at ensuring security of lives and property.
He disclosed that his administration has invested in security arguing it was the only way to attract local and foreign investors to the state.
Thanking the people for their support during and after his election in 2012, Dikson said he would not renege on his promise, especially the completion of Yenagoa-Oporoma road.
“When I came here in 2012 to seek your support during our campaign, I made promises. Some have been fulfilled while we are still working on some. I am re-assuring you that all the promises made would be kept.
Ours is a listening Government.
“Already, we are working on the Yenagoa-Oporoma road. Clearing of that road has got to Angiama while sand-filling has reached Aguobiri which is close to Oporoma. We are also working on the general hospital and model secondary school projects and several others here in Oporoma and other parts of Southern Ijaw,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the first civilian Governor of the state, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, described the “Thank You” tour the governor embarked on as the first of its kind in the history of the state.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Konbowei Benson, said the development strides of the governor in the area and the entire state had vindicated his supporters and assured him of the people continued support.
– CajnewsAfrica