The Bayelsa State Government has directed local government councils in the state to pass a legislation prohibiting the movement of speed boats within the state’s waterways without security permit from 7pm daily.
Similarly, the government directed the legislative councils of the eight local government councils in the state to expeditiously enact bye-laws on the establishment of local vigilantes in all the communities.
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The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who gave the directives on Wednesday during separate meetings with traditional rulers from Southern Ijaw and Nembe local government areas of the state, urged traditional rulers to complement the government’s efforts at tackling insecurity in especially in waterways.
He stressed the need for vigilante groups to be set up before the end of the month.
He also directed the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, Chief Thompson Amule, to notify the council chairmen to initiate bills for the enabling bye-laws towards establishing the vigilantes in their areas.
He advised community leaders to work closely with the police to thoroughly screen members of the various vigilante groups, based on their individual capacities and integrity.
The deputy governor, who emphasised the need for more effective policing of the waterways to stem the rising tide of sea piracy and other forms of criminality, also directed that bye-laws prohibiting travelling with speed boats along the rivers and creeks be passed by the local government councils.
He noted that the measure would go a long way to complement the efforts of the security agencies to curb crime on the water routes in the state.
