Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has slammed international oil companies (IOCs) for allegedly fuelling insecurity in the Niger Delta.
Dickson, who stated this during the launch of the ‘Rise for Bayelsa Campaign,’ an initiative to attract global attention to the ravaging effects of oil spills, pollution and environmental degradation in the state, said it is time oil companies are called out for their roles in the insecurity crisis in the region.
He accused the IOCs of constituting the biggest threat to security and stability of the state and the Niger Delta; under the guise of awarding crude oil pipeline surveillance contracts.
Dickson said: “They are not only polluting our land, creeks, waterways and communities. They are also taking their terrorist and criminal activities to yet another frightening level.
“…So, when we talk of environmental terrorism perpetrated, funded and encouraged by IOCs, you come to Bayelsa and you see a classic case. The launch of the Rise for Bayelsa Campaign would herald the beginning of a long crusade by my government as a fulfilment of the commitment made during the last World Environmental Day to shift attention from education and infrastructure deficit to the scourge of environmental terrorism.”
Dickson said the short documentary aired during the launch was a true reflection of the hardship the people of Bayelsa and the entire Niger Delta have been experiencing for over 60 years at the hands of a federal government that does not care about the wellbeing, welfare and survival of the people of the region beyond the oil.
He said the federal government has failed to enforce environmental and safety standards as well as regulations on oil companies operating in the region.
“This has gone from that to terrorism against our poor, oppressed people, who are left alone at the mercy of organised cartels and international oil companies. If you look at their practises and activities in this country, in this state and in the Niger Delta, they are carrying on as criminal gangs with their collaborators; some local, some foreign,” he said and urged Bayelsans at home and in the Diaspora to support the campaign.
Meanwhile, a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Violence, Mayhem and Breach of Peace before, during and after the General Election, sitting in Yenagoa, the state capital, has invited former governor Timipre Sylva, and other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Commission, under the chairmanship of Justice Inikade Eradiri, also invited a member of the House of Assembly, Israel Sunny-Goli, acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and Mr. Famous Danumiegha, APC candidate for the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the March 9 House of Assembly election.
Their invitation was sequel to an order granted the Police, by Justice Okon Abang, of Federal High Court, Abuja to arrest the lawmaker representing Brass 1 Constituency Assembly, Sunny-Goli, an oil surveillance contractor, Sam Kodjo, and others over alleged complicity in the February 23, 2019 attack and abduction of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kola Okunlola, in Brass area of the state.
The commission of inquiry, which has received written and oral testimonies on the role played by politicians since it commenced sitting, heard the testimonies of eight fresh witnesses, at its sitting yesterday.