Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has warned oil thieves to desist from the unwholesome practice or face dire consequences as from 2014.
This is just as he presented a cheque of N105m 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, Chief 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 measure 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, Hon. 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.
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.
In his goodwill message, the first civilian governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, described the thank you tour embarked upon by the governor as the first of its kind in the annals of the state.
Speaking in the same vein, a first class traditional ruler in the state, King Joshua Igbugburu said the conferment of chieftaincy title on Dickson is a confirmation of the people’s love and support for his administration.