Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has called for collaboration between oil producing states and relevant institutions to bring development closer to the people as one of the surest ways in tackling oil theft activities.

Governor Diri stated this when the new Commander of the Joint Military Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Rear Admiral Eugenio Ferreira, and other officers paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.

The Governor, who advocated an amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to address flaws in the legislation said review would go a long way in tackling the ongoing crisis between oil companies and their host communities.

Cue in: in recent times

Cue out: …the petroleum industry

Describing the Act as a time bomb, governor Diri emphasised that since the country operates a federal system of government, it was an aberration for federal government to deal directly with oil producing communities while excluding the states and local governments.

He said both state and local governments should be incorporated into the oil industry legislation to enable them to contribute towards ensuring peace and stability in the industry.

Earlier, the new OPDS Commander, Rear Admiral Ferreira, who hinted that he was posted to the command last month noted that the OPDS was established with a mandate to protect oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta and ensure a stable and peaceful environment for all.

While expressing gratitude to the state government for the support given to the command, Rear Admiral Ferreira informed that they had achieved eighty per cent success of their mandate, which he attributed to the kinetic and non-kinetic approach of the military.

He commended Governor Diri for his support to the task force and pledged the command’s continued collaboration with the state government to ensure peace and security.