The Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), in Niger Delta, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, has said that trade unions are key elements in the fight against oil theft.
Atewe made the remark at a meeting with the leaders of various trade unions and associations in Bayelsa at the JTF Headquarters in Yenagoa.
Atewe noted that the fight against illegal oil bunkering and oil theft was a collective responsibility and should not be left to security agencies alone.
“Security is everybody’s business and should not be left in the hands of security agencies alone.
The Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), in Niger Delta, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, has said that trade unions are key elements in the fight against oil theft.
Atewe made the remark at a meeting with the leaders of various trade unions and associations in Bayelsa at the JTF Headquarters in Yenagoa.
Atewe noted that the fight against illegal oil bunkering and oil theft was a collective responsibility and should not be left to security agencies alone.
“Security is everybody’s business and should not be left in the hands of security agencies alone.
“There should be synergy between stakeholders, community leaders and the JTF, especially in the areas of giving out credible information that will aid the Task Force to carry out its mandate.
“I am looking for information on the activities of these criminals and I assure you that we will not give out the source of our information,” Atewe said.
He said “apart from the economic loss, the continuous rupturing and breaking of oil pipelines pose a lot of health hazards to the people of the region.
“It also pollutes the environment which could in turn result in the out-break of epidemic.’’
Atewe, however, announced that the command would continue to take measures aimed at eradicating and stamping out oil bunkering in the region.
This, he said, would create a conducive atmosphere for oil companies to do their legitimate businesses, thereby boosting the nation’s economy.
He assured the associations of JTF’s readiness to execute its mandate professionally, and called on stakeholders to join hands in the fight against criminality and other sundry crimes.
Atewe said that JTF’s operation was recently expanded to include relevant agencies of government in the fight against the menace of oil theft.
He said the JTF had dominated the rivers, creeks and maritime oil fields through aggressive aerial surveillance to checkmate the activities of economic saboteurs in the area, while providing safe passage for legitimate businesses.
Responding, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Bayelsa, Mr Erebuo ThankGod, commended the JTF commander for the interactive session.
ThankGod assured the commander of his union’s support in the fight against criminalities in the region.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association in Bayelsa, Mr Henry Igborigi, sought JTF’s assistance in checking the inflow of vehicles to mechanic village.
Igborigi also pledged his association’s support by giving out useful information that would aid the JTF in carrying out its mandate.
Other associations that attended the meeting are the Swali Market Association, representatives of Keke NAPEP Association, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMA) and Spare Parts Dealers Association, among others.
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