To combat the menace of oil theft in communities across the state, chairmen of the eight local government councils in Bayelsa State have been mandated to constitute task force in their areas.

Governor Douye Diri, who stated this on Tuesday during a meeting with local government chairmen in Government House, Yenagoa, said the decision to set up the local government task force on oil theft was borne out of a meeting between governors of the oil producing states and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, last week in Abuja.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that the teams would collaborate with the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps to check oil theft.

Senator Diri noted that the incidence of crude oil bunkering and theft have had multiple effects, including low oil production output thereby affecting revenue accruing to states as well as degradation of the ecosystem.

According to him, “arising from the meeting in Abuja, l have also invited you since you are at the local government level of governance in the fight against crude oil theft.

“The issue of oil theft and oil bunkering are of serious concern in our local government areas and since the federal government has involved states and local governments in combating the menace, all hands must be on deck to stamp it out.

“Federal government is working to shore up oil production and if we are able to stop oil theft, production will increase thereby increasing revenues for states and local governments.”

On the August 1 nationwide protest, Senator Diri charged council chairmen to assert their authority by ensuring that the prevailing peace was maintained across communities in the state.

He equally directed that council chairmen should liaise with officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with a view to provide accommodation to the agency to enable it carry out its duties in their areas.

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