Bayelsa plans task force to tackle pipeline vandalism

In Bayelsa State, hard times await oil thieves and pipeline vandals as Governor Seriake Dickson on Tuesday warned the perpetrators to desist from the unwholesome practices or face dire consequences as from 2014.

Speaking at Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area during his 'thank you tour' to the area, Dickson said government was disturbed by the alarming rate of oil theft and its effects on the state and nation's economy.

The governor stressed that stringent measures would be taken to stop it.

He said a crack task force would be set up to clamp down on the perpetrators of the criminal acts, warning that anybody caught in the act would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Dickson called for the support of the people in the area at ensuring security of lives and property.

He said his administration had invested so much in security as it was the only way to attract local and foreign investors to the state.

Accompanied by the first civilian Governor of the State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd.); high ranking government functionaries, captains of industry and a host of others, Dickson restated that necessary security apparatus was being put in place to curtail the act.

Also, the governor presented a cheque of N105m to women in seven Rural Development Authorities in Southern Ijaw LGA.

He expressed gratitude to the people for their support during and after his election in 2012.

He said he would not renege on his promise, especially the completion of Yenagoa-Oporoma road.

Dickson said, 'When I came here in 2012 to seek your support during our campaigns, I made promises. Some have been fulfilled while we are still working on others. I am reassuring 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 sandfilling has reached Aguobiri which is close to Oporoma. As you know, we are also working on the general hospital and model secondary school projects and many others here in Oporoma and other parts of Southern Ijaw.' Punch