In its bid to check incessant communal crisis, the Bayelsa State Government has appointed a youth activist and security expert, Mr. Don Jacob Ebikeseye as acting Chairman of the state Advisory Committee on Community Development and Conflict Resolution.
Speaking to Niger Delta Herald in an exclusive interview, Don Jacob Ebikeseye hinted that the mandate of the Committee is to put in place appropriate strategies to ensure that peace reigns in the communities.
According to him, the state Governor Senator Douye Diri’s mandate to the Committee is to ensure that they work with leadership of the communities to collate data and work out ways to sustain peace, so as to attract development to the communities.
Don Jacob Ebikeseye further emphasized that already the committee is working with community youth groups, women groups to fashion out ways to nip crisis in the bud before it occurs.
The Apoi born activist turned politician regretted the unfortunate incident which fatally injured a soldier at Ogboinbiri Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) platform in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in which some militants attacked the oil platform.
He used the medium to empathize with the Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe over the unfortunate incident. “I want to express my sincere empathy with the Nigerian Army and JTF over the fatal injury inflicted by the action of the militants in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, as a government, Senator Douye Diri has directed that perpetrators are brought to book.”
Don Jacob Ebikeseye also said that the government is on top of the situation in Agoro community in Ekeremor Local Government Area, where alleged arsonists set the house of a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Fred Agbedi ablaze.
He admonished Bayelsans to support the prosperity government of Douye Diri to deliver on its mandate, adding that the government is committed to the progress and development of the state.
“I want Bayelsans to give our miracle Governor a chance so that he will deliver the dividends of democracy to them.”
Don Jacob Ebikeseye who was a one-time Daewoo Security Manager, said that his committee will work with multinationals and federal government agencies to create a synergy for mutual cooperation to foster peace between them and oil bearing and producing communities.
Meanwhile, the Acting Chairman of the state Advisory Committee on Community Development and Conflict Resolution, Don Jacob Ebikeseye has held a meeting with the Joint Task Force, JTF where far reaching decisions were taken, adding that where there are disagreement between the military and communities be resolved amicably.
Don. Jacob appreciated the military for not being confrontational but for allowing the government to handle issues of security breach by communities.
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