Dickson cautions Federal Govt on adoption of military approach in tackling insurgency in Niger Delta

CHINEDU WOSU
YENAGOA

Bayelsa state governor, Henry Seriake Dickson on Tuesday urged the federal government to tread with caution in the proposed adoption of a military approach to tackling insurgency and the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers in the region.

Dickson also condemned the killings of security personnel, innocent persons and the vandalization of pipelines by the Niger Delta Avengers, describing their actions as criminal and high economic sabotage against the nation.

The governor spoke in Yenagoa with representatives of International Oil Companies (IOC) and security chiefs that came together to proffer solutions to the recent upsurge in criminal activities in the Niger Delta region.

Dickson said, the militant acts is sending a wrong signal to the international community, adding that foreign investors are being scared away from investing in the country.

“The recent development is affecting the socio-economic growth of not only the state, but the entire region.”

He called on stakeholders to discuss the way forward to nip in the bud the unwarranted and incessant destruction of critical national assets, adding that the way forward is for all stakeholders to discuss the issues and the need for the Federal government to tread with caution and not adopt military approach as a means to solve the problem.

“‘No one person can protect the assets in the remote areas of the region. I, therefore, call on those involved in this act of criminality and brigandage to stop forthwith.”

Dickson commended the military and other security agencies in their fight against pipelines vandalism and the protection of lives and property in the region.

Speaking at the event, State Deputy commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukah said, the meeting has resolved to engage various communities in the region in a dialogue in order to put an end to the recent upsurge in criminal activities.

Security findings, according to him, revealed that some oil producing communities are not happy with the award of the surveillance contract by the oil companies to non indigenes.

Also speaking, Director of the NNPC/Chevron joint venture, Monday Ovuedu, Group Executive Director, Media, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Sola Omole and Head of Legal Services, CONOIL Plc, Michael Madugbe said, the oil companies operating in the region would collaborate with the government at sustaining peace in the region.

In a statement by Dickson Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Markson Iworiso, the stakeholders commended the efforts of the government in tackling the upsurge of attacks on oil installations.