ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State government has lamented what it called unnecessary incessant protests and picketing of corporate organisations including oil companies by some youths.
It, therefore, warned the youths in the state to turn a new leaf or face the full wrath of the law.
It also frowned on community leaders who failed to protect government projects sited in their areas from destruction.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, handed down the warning at a meeting with the youth presidents of communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area in Government House, Yenagoa.
Ewhrudjakpo noted that frequent blocking of roads and stoppage of the operations of companies were doing a great disservice not only to the affected companies but also contributed to the dwindling revenues of the state.
While stressing the need for youths to jettison what he called “entitlement mentality”, he maintained that the protests were giving Bayelsa a bad name and scaring away investors from the state.
Ewhrudjakpo, who assured communities of his administration’s commitment to protecting their interest, advised the youths to always channel their grievances to the government and not resort to protest as the first option.
Making reference to the vandalism of public facilities in Boro Town and stealing of piling sheets at Igbainwari in Opokuma Clan, he warned that government would deal decisively with community leaders who aid and abet such unwholesome acts.
He therefore called on traditional rulers and youth leaders to be vigilant and proactive by providing security agencies with credible intelligence to enable them to bust as well as prevent criminal activities in their areas.
Ewhrudjakpo said: “We must put a stop to the act of carrying out protest against companies doing business in our state over issues that can be resolved amicably. You should not forget that while you have the right to protest, the other person also has the right to defend himself.
“But most importantly, you should know that each time you stop the operations of these companies in the name of protest, it affects the little revenue that is coming to the state. How many times have you heard youths of Lagos State carrying out such protests?
“The use of physical violence is no longer fashionable these days. What you need to fight for your right is intellectual capacity and the law. That is why we want as many of our youths to develop themselves through education and other vocational skills.
“As a government, we will not allow companies to deprive our communities of their rights. We are ready to do everything within our reach to protect your interest. So, the right thing to do is to channel your grievances to the government and not to use protest as the first option to resolve issues.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Benjamin Okolo and the Commander, 16 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig Gen. Rotimi Awolo, described Kolokuma/Opokuma as one of the most peaceful areas in the state, and urged its people to maintain the enviable record.
While taking note of some of the complaints of the youths, the Service Commanders made their personal contacts available for the youths to give timely, credible and actionable information.
In their separate remarks, the President of Kolokuma/Opokuma Federated Youth Council, Mr Timi Jato and the President of Opokuma Youths, Mr Ebi Orupou, expressed gratitude to the government for initiating the meeting to better inform the youths of government’s policies and programmes.