Diri charges LGs to tackle oil theft

Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has charged chairmen of the eight local government areas of the state to set up task forces to tackle crude oil theft in their various councils.

Diri stated this on Tuesday during a meeting with local government chairmen at the Government House in Yenagoa.

He disclosed that the decision to set up the local government task force on oil theft was borne out of a meeting between governors of the oil-producing states and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, last week in Abuja.

The local government task forces are expected to collaborate with the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps to check crude oil theft.

Governor Diri noted that the incidence of crude oil bunkering and theft have seriously impacted revenues accruing to oil producing states, as well as environmental degradation.

He said, “Arising from the meeting in Abuja, l have also invited you since you are at the local government level of governance in the fight against crude oil theft.

“The issue of oil theft and oil bunkering are of serious concern in our local government areas and since the Federal Government has involved states and local governments in combating the menace, all hands must be on deck to stamp it out.

“The Federal Government is working to shore up oil production and if we are able to stop oil theft, production will increase thereby increasing revenues for states and local governments.”

On the August 1 nationwide protest, Diri charged council chairmen to assert their authority by ensuring that the prevailing peace was maintained across communities in the state.

He also directed the council chairmen to provide accommodation for officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to enable to them carry out their duties in their areas.

The governor also directed that all public offices, markets and businesses across the state should open for business on Thursday.

He gave the directive on Wednesday, during a courtesy call by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, at the Government House, Yenagoa.

While acknowledging the rights of the people to protest in a democracy, he stressed it must be for good reasons, which could be resolved through dialogue.