TheCable

The Bayelsa government has given local governments till the end of October to set up vigilance groups in communities across the state.

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, deputy governor of Bayelsa, gave the directive on Tuesday, at separate meetings with traditional rulers from southern Ijaw and Nembe LGAs.

He said the measure would complement the efforts of security agencies to curb criminal activities in the state.

“The issue of security is a major one for us, and if we take it for granted, it is going to weigh down on all of us,” he said.

“We are directing local governments to, between now and the end of October, set up vigilance groups. All communities must have their vigilance groups set up.

“The issue of the vigilance groups will not only lie on divisional police officers (DPOs). The screening of members of the vigilance groups will be done by the DPOs who, in turn, will be supervised by the commissioner of police.

“The commissioner for local governments is hereby directed to write officially to local government chairmen to form their vigilance groups between now and the end of October.

“We will not leave the funding to the communities; the local governments are going to be responsible for the funding, with support from the state government.”

He directed Thompson Amule, commissioner for local government, chieftaincy and community development, to notify council chairmen to initiate the process for bye-laws on establishing vigilance groups in their areas.

The deputy governor also announced that movement of speedboats at night will be restricted.

“The commissioner will [write] letters to all the councils to work assiduously to pass the anti-night boat movement bye-law, to proscribe speed boat movements beyond 7pm,” he said.

“Any speed boat without security permit moving after 7pm is an enemy boat.”