*Jesse monarch alerts security agencies
Emma Amaize
27 September, 2011, Sweetcrude, WARRI- THE ecosystem of Jesse and other oil communities in Delta state has been contaminated by recurrent crude oil spills caused by amplified activities of oil thieves in recent times.
Following reports that many farmlands have been polluted along the River Ethiope, the traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Erhiekevwe 1, (JP) Pnm, Ovie of Idjerhe (Jesse) kingdom, aka Ododo, alerted the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Jesse Police Station, Jesse and the Joint Task Force, JTF/Oil Pipeline surveillance unit, whose officials and men from the palace swiftly went on inspection of coastal communities.
A statement by the Iyasere of Jesse kingdom, Chief Uzzi Gabriel – Emeje (JP), said the findings by the team indicated that pollution observed in Jesse could have flowed from vandalized oil pipelines in neighbouring communities.
He directed all chiefs, village heads, youth bodies/vigilante outfits in his kingdom to be more vigilant and promptly report perpetrators of any criminal act to the security agencies.
The monarch asserted that security of government property/interest anywhere was the responsibility of everybody, but security agencies, particularly those concerned with oil pipelines surveillance, should be more proactive in monitoring pipelines and other related crimes throughout the country.
He said that crude oil refining was alien to the people of Jesse and anyone caught in the business within its territory would be handed over to security agencies.
