Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has urged the chairpersons of the state’s eight local government areas to create task forces dedicated to combating crude oil theft in their jurisdictions. This order, announced during a meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa on Tuesday, follows a recent assembly of oil-producing state governors with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja.
These local task forces are expected to join forces with the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps to tackle the problem of oil theft. Governor Diri highlighted the severe effects of oil theft and bunkering on the state’s revenue and the environment. 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.
Diri also addressed the upcoming nationwide protest on August 1, urging the council chairpersons to maintain order and peace within their communities. He instructed them to provide housing for National Drug Law Enforcement Agency officials and to ensure that all public offices, markets, and businesses operate as usual on Thursday.
This directive was issued during a visit from Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri. Diri emphasized the importance of addressing protests constructively through dialogue and maintaining democratic processes for positive outcomes.
