The Bayelsa government has directed the police and other security agencies to strengthen security around the Letugbene and Ogbotubo communities in the Ekeremor Local Government Area.

Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo gave the directive during a meeting with community leaders and senior government officials at his office in Yenagoa on Saturday.

He noted renewed clashes between the neighbouring communities over a disputed land where Renaissance Africa Energy Company, formerly Shell, had sited a project.

Urging both communities to sustain their long-standing cordiality, he cautioned against allowing oil firms to instigate divisions that could trigger intra- or inter-communal crises.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo warned that the government would hold community leaders, including CDC chairmen and youth presidents, responsible in the event of further violence in the disputed area.

He announced the creation of an 11-member committee to resolve the boundary dispute and directed both communities to submit claims, court judgments, and agreements without delay.

The Letugbene/Ogbotubo Boundary Dispute Resolution Committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Perepuighe Biewari, has one month to complete its assignment.

Other members include the secretary to the State Boundary Committee, Michael Magbisa, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Bayelsa West; the Ekeremor LGA chairman, Isaac Onniye; and the state Surveyor General, Margaret Geku.

(NAN)