Hard times await oil thieves and vandals of petroleum products pipelines in Bayelsa State as Governor Seriake Dickson on Monday warned the perpetrators to desist from the unwholesome practice or face dire consequences as from 2014.
This is just as he presented a cheque of N105 million to women in seven Rural Development Authorities, (RDAs) in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
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, stressing that stringent measures would be taken to stop it.
Accompanied by the first civilian governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), top government functionaries, captains of industry and host of others, Dickson disclosed that necessary security apparatus is being put in place to curtail the act.
According to him, a crack taskforce will be set up to clamp down on the perpetrators of the criminal acts, warning that anybody caught in the act will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Calling for the support of the people in the area at ensuring security of lives and property, the Governor disclosed that his administration has invested so much in security as it is 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 as governor of the state, he said that he would not renege on his promise, especially the completion of Yenagoa-Oporoma road.
“When I came here in 2012 to seek for 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. As you know, 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”
The governor, who was conferred with a traditional title of Ibefiniowei 1of Southern Ijaw, said aside his administration’s huge investment on infrastructures, other sectors of the economy including health, education are being given due attention.
Alamieyeseigha described the thank you tour as the first of its kind in the annals of the state.
Making allusion to the biblical ten lepers, Alamieyeseigha said the governor’s decision would further endear him to the people.
Speaking in the same vein, a first-class traditional ruler in the state, King Joshua Igbugburu, said the conferment of chieftaincy title on the governor is a confirmation of the people’s love and support for his administration.
Also speaking, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Konbowei Benson, said the development strides of the governor in the area and the entire state has vindicated his supporters and assured him of the people continued support.
The governor also used the opportunity of the visit to inspect some ongoing projects in the area, including the general hospital, Governor’s Lodge and the Model Secondary School at Oporoma.
