Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Friday announced plans of his administration to put in place mechanisms in the riverine areas towards stemming the tide of criminal activities, such as crude oil theft and illegal refineries.
Governor Dickson dropped the hint, while granting audience to heads of various security agencies in the state, including the new Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Paul Okafor, Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Air Vice Marshal Francis Bassey Nyoyoko and the State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Barr. Ruth Obi in Government House, Yenagoa.
While, expressing the government’s commitment to making the state a safe haven for residents and investors, the Governor called on those engaged in various forms of criminality and brigandage to desist forthwith, as security agencies would spare no efforts to bring culprits to justice.
His words: “You are coming to Bayelsa at a time of increased political activities. And, so all that we ask is that, you and your officers and men should do your utmost to enforce the laws as they are and hold the ballast so that the rest of society can keep to their proper boundaries and limits.
Governor Dickson, who observed that the posting of the new Commissioner of Police to the state was coming at a time when political activities were on the increase, expressed his administration’s support to the security personnel to enable them perform their duties optimally.
On the need to speed up criminal justice in the state, the Governor directed the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security to liaise with the Nigeria Police towards ensuring that, cases were properly investigated and suspects charged to court.
According to him, the collaborative efforts of the people and the government of the state as well as security agencies have contributed significantly to making Bayelsa one of the most peaceful states in the country and preferred destination for potential investors.
Governor Dickson also commended the officers and men of the Mobility Command, Nigerian Air Force for their selfless operations in securing lives and property and called for more of their presence in the state, through the establishment of facilities such as schools and hospitals.
“We will like to see more Air Force presence in Bayelsa; Air Force schools, hospitals and the Barracks that you have started. I am delighted that you have moved to your permanent site. We gave a large parcel of land to the Air Force company for property development and we will like to see some action also in that. But, all in all, your command has been very supportive of our state, moving forward. I want to thank you and do extend our sincere appreciation to the Chief of Air Staff for all his support and desire to see that Air Force operations in Bayelsa are enhanced.
Expressing delight over the movement of the Mobility Command to its permanent site at Okaka, in the state capital, he assured that the appropriate government officials would liaise with them for the issuance of the necessary land title documents in respect of the land allocated to the command.
Also, on the completion of renovation work on the present office accommodation of the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA in the state, Governor Dickson directed the Ministry of works and Infrastructure to expedite action on the structure.
“The drug war you are waging is central to our policy of zero tolerance on violence, brigandage and crime. Our position as a government on law and order is very well known. I agree with you that there is nexus between drug abuse and the prevalence of certain types of crimes in the state, particularly crimes of a violent nature. And so we will work with you to ensure that through your advocacy programmes and proactive and effective enforcement actions, drug abuse and other associated criminal activities will be a thing of the past. I want to assure you of my administration’s preparedness to support and encourage you.
“I like to call on the citizens of this state, particularly the young people to desist from the life of drug addiction and called for support from the public for the work you are here to do.”
In their separate remarks, Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Paul Okafor, Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Air Vice Marshal Francis Bassey Nyoyoko and the State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Barr. Ruth Obi, pledged their commitment towards the enforcement of law and order in the state.
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State