By Our Correspondent

GOVERNOR of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, weekend, set up a high-powered Advocacy Committee, headed by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro, to tackle pipeline vandalism in the state.  He gave the committee marching orders to proceed to the riverine areas of the state, Okowa especially the troubled Gbaramatu Kingdom to speak to the people.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

The Deputy Governor, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro, who spoke on phone, confirmed that the directive of the governor was that they (committee) move with immediate effect.

Members of the committee include Commissioner for Youth Development, Asupa Forteta, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mofe Pirah, Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, Kelly Penaowu and Special Adviser on Petroleum Matters, Bosin Ebikeme Others are Chairman, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Godwin Ebosa, Chairman, Delta Waterways and Land Security Committee, Chief Boro Opudu, Director Genearl, Political and Security Services, David Tonwei and former Commissioner for Commerce and one-time national president of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, who will serve as Secretary.

As part of its terms of reference, the governor directed the committee to relocate to the riverine areas and “majorly advocate for an immediate stop of the on-going facility destruction, finding the immediate and remote causes of resurgence of militancy and create platforms of dialogue amongst others.” Meanwhile, the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, led by Chief Clark Gbenewei, weekend, dismissed the insinuation that the people of Gbaramatu were behind the perpetrators of recent pipeline vandalism in the area. The council stated this when the members paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Governor, Barr Otuaro, yesterday.

GTC spokesperson, High Chief Godspower Gbenekama, who commended Otuaro on his emergence as deputy governor, said: “The perpetrators are not of Gbaramatu Kingdom. We condemn the act of pipelines vandalism in totality as it undermines the national and state economy and negatively affects our livelihood.” Gbenekama, who advocated dialogue in resolving issues, said the Gbaramatu leadership was willing and ready to collaborate with federal, state, local government and relevant agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the criminal acts, found within or outside the area. “We are with you all the way, we are in solidarity with you.

We want you to pass this message to your Principal, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and to President Mohammadu Buhari. We have not at anytime come together to destroyb oil infrastructure, let alone when we have our son, Otuaro, as Deputy Governor and at helm of affairs.

We can only do what will make you, Otuaro, greater,” Gbenekama posited. Responding, Otuaro appreciated the solidarity visit and avowed commitment of the Ijaw chiefs to collaborate with government towards ending the menace of pipelines vandalism.

He stressed that the recent vandalism of Shell and Chevron and other facilities was condemnable and unacceptable to the state government. He informed that government was already implementing policies that would eventually discourage youth from oil infrastructure vandalism just as he advised the youth to leverage on the Delta State government SMART Agenda’s programmes for self-employment skills.