In a bid to combat the menace of oil theft in communities across Bayelsa State, the chairpersons of the eight local government councils in the state have been mandated to constitute task forces in their areas.
Governor Douye Diri, who stated this on Tuesday during a meeting with local government chairmen at Government House, Yenagoa, said the decision to set up the local government task forces on oil theft stemmed from a meeting between governors of the oil-producing states and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, last week in Abuja.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that the teams would collaborate with the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps to combat oil theft.
Diri noted that the incidence of crude oil bunkering and theft has had multiple effects, including reduced oil production output, which affects revenue accruing to states, as well as degradation of the ecosystem.
According to him, “Arising from the meeting in Abuja, I have also invited you since you are at the local government level of governance in the fight against crude oil theft.
“The issues 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.”
Regarding the August 1 nationwide protest, Diri charged the council heads to assert their authority by ensuring that peace is maintained across communities in the state.
He also directed that council chairpersons liaise with officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to provide accommodation for the agency, enabling it to carry out its duties in their areas.
