Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, has mandated chairmen of the eight local government councils in the state to respectively constitute a team against oil theft and bunkering in their areas.

Mr Diri gave the mandate during a meeting held with the local government chairmen in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

He said the decision was borne out of a recent meeting between governors of the oil-producing states and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The governor said the proposed teams would be collaborating with the Bayelsa Community Safety Corps to check oil theft.

He noted that the multiple effects of oil bunkering and theft include the degradation of the ecosystem and low oil production output, thereby, affecting revenue accruing to states.

“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. The 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 state and local governments,” he said.

On the planned nationwide protest slated for Thursday, Mr Diri charged the council chairmen to assert their authority by ensuring that prevailing peace was maintained across communities in Bayelsa.

He also directed the chairmen to liaise with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to provide accommodation for the agency in their areas.

This, he said, would allow the agency to carry out its duties effectively at the grass-roots.

(NAN)