Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has charged community leaders, chiefs and youths in the state not to breach the peace over oil companies’ largesse.
He also admonished community leaders and youths to conduct themselves peacefully and work with his administration to promote peace, unity and development of the state.
Senator Diri gave the admonition on Friday during the 11th memorial ceremony of his mother, Madam Rose Diri, at Ayamasa community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.
He recalled a recent squabble between youths and an Ayamasa community leader over sharing of proceeds from an oil firm.
He said: “This is not the time for us to have conflicts in our communities. We should be more united to attract development to our communities. I am interested in everything that goes on in Ayamasa, in Ekeremor Local Government Area and the West senatorial district generally.
“The chiefs, youths and other community leaders should conduct themselves peacefully and not fight over peanuts from oil companies. The elite of this community should stand up and do the needful. People should be transparent when handling public money.”
The governor equally appealed to the youths to respect constituted authority just as he cautioned leaders, chiefs and other stakeholders against acts that could destabilise their communities.
He enjoined the youths to desist from taking the laws into their hands but rather channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters for peaceful resolution.
The governor also explained that he was in his maternal home to honour the memory of his late mother, stating that the Diri family had set aside every May 15 to mark her departure.
According to him, his siblings had already honoured Mrs Diri on that date in his absence and that upon his return to the state, he decided to privately do same.
“Honouring the memory of my mother is an annual event for me and my siblings. We have been doing this even before l became governor. We came here today to mark the 11th anniversary of our mother resting in peace.
“My only regret is that she did not live long to receive the glory from the children she loved and cared for and all those who crossed her path.
“She was a peaceful woman. My siblings and l imbibed her peaceful nature.
“I wanted this ceremony to be a private one. However, my mother deserves every honour that she can get. I appreciate the people of Ayamasa community for the warm reception they always accord us.”