DSS TELLS MACIVER, DAVID LYON, OTHERS TO WORK IN UNITY

The Director of Operations, Department of State Security Services (DSS) in Abuja , Mr. Bassy Uduak, has advised the David Lyon-led SILGA Oil and Gas Taskforce, that oil companies cannot operate without  the knowledge of the LGA Chairman, and that there was need for both parties to resolve whatever issues they had and work in unison,  to provide adequate peace and Security in the local government areas. Mr Bassy stated this at a meeting between the former managers of the SILGA Oil and Gas Taskforce, led by Mr. David Lyon, and the newly appointed Caretaker Chairmen of the eight local governments in Bayelsa State.

The chairmen whom was earlier invited by the Department of State Security Services, (DSS) for questioning in Abuja last week, appeared today before the DSS, He spoke on behalf of the eight local government chairmen, that he had the power to restructure the oil and gas task force as Chairman of the LGA.

According to Hon. MacIver, the SILGA Oil and Gas Taskforce Bye-Law 2013 empowered him to dissolve  and restructure the task force to curb oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal vices at any point in time.

It could be recalled that invitation of the DSS was in connection with the  earlier dissolution and subsequent reconstitution of the SILGA Oil and Gas Taskforce by the Chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA recently.

According to sources,  the invitation which was masterminded by the former managers of the Taskforce on Oil and Gas, and was intended to frustrate the determination of the eight local government chairmen, inorder to keep their companies incharge of protecting oil and gas facilities against vandalism.

The chairmen also directed all multinational oil companies operating in their domains to cooperate with the  newly reconstituted taskforce on oil and gas.

He further stated at the meeting  that no amount of intimidation would deter him from performing his constitutional role as the chief security officer of Southern Ijaw LGA.

Those who were invited for questioning by the DSS are:
1. Hon. Joshua MacIver- Southern Ijaw LGA
2. Hon. Bello Bina -  Brass LGA
3. Mr. Tolu Amatu - Ekeremor
4. Kuroekiagha Walter Ben-Wari - Nembe
5. Mr. Bonny Ayah - Special Adviser to the Governor on oil Gas.
6. Hon. Austin Simon - Special Adviser to the Chairman on Oil and Gas in Southern Ijaw LGA

The chairmen of Kolokuma/Opokuma, Ogbia, Yenagoa and Sagbama LGAs also accompanied them in solidarity. Also present in the meeting was the Executive Secretary of CCDA and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Bayelsa State.

Credit: meinpamo onitsha saint.