Bayelsa State Government has faulted media reports that it called for cancellation of oil pipeline surveillance contracts awarded by the federal government to some private security firms in the country.
The government said its position, as stated by the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, during the visit of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, on Monday to Government House, Yenagoa, remains that the Nigerian Navy should be strengthened to perform its constitutional role of tackling the country’s security challenges and protecting of its maritime assets.
Governor Douye Diri, who made the clarification in a press release issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Tuesday, said the state government had never been against engaging non-state actors in oil pipeline surveillance but that they ought to be supervised by the country’s conventional security organs.
The governor further stated that the government’s call for a review of the current pipeline surveillance arrangement is that the Niger Delta states should be involved in order to create room for more inconclusiveness.
He also explained that the inclusion of the states would prevent a situation where the non-state actors engaged in pipeline surveillance take the laws into their hands at their different operational areas.
The governor noted that the current arrangement could pose greater security challenges if not properly regulated.
Governor Diri again commended the security commanders and their men serving in the state for their commitment in discharging their duties, which has ensured Bayelsa remains one of the most peaceful states in the country.