Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson Accuses Oil Firms Of Funding Criminality In Niger Delta

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson Accuses Oil Firms Of Funding Criminality In Niger Delta

Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson has accused multinational oil
companies operating in the Niger Delta of funding “terrorism,
criminality and breakdown of law and order.”  

He alleged that oil pipeline surveillance contracts awarded by the
oil firms were foundational to the security threats in the region. In a
statement issued on Thursday, Dickson’s Special Adviser on Public
Affairs, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor to have said this on
Wednesday during the inauguration of the Rise for Bayelsa Campaign.  

The campaign, according to Alabrah, is aimed at attracting global
attention to the ravaging effects of oil spillage, pollution and
environmental degradation in Bayelsa State. The governor was quoted as
saying, “They (oil firms) are not only polluting our land, creeks,
waterways and communities, they are also taking their terrorist and
criminal activities to a frightening level.  

These cases of killings during elections, people terrorising Southern
Ijaw, killing people, even interfering in our democratic process, were
funded by Agip in the likeness of crude oil pipeline surveillance
contractors and forming a parallel government in this state to
compromise all the layers of security in our country.

“They have been killing, maiming and terrorising people in Nembe
Bassambiri. A certain Kodjo, who is working as an Agip contractor, is
funded by the company. In Southern Ijaw, there is a certain David Lyon
and his people whose activities are being funded by Agip.  

“Agip is not interested in the stability and safety of our
communities. This is how far they have escalated their terrorist
activities. So, when we talk of environmental terrorism being
perpetrated, funded and encouraged by IOCs, you come to Bayelsa and you
see a classic case.”

Dickson, however, said the Rise for Bayelsa Campaign, which he
inaugurated 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.”