The Commander Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation ‘PULO SHIELD’, Major General Emmanuel Atewe has described trade unions Nigeria in general and Bayelsa State in particular as key element in the fight against oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta Region.
He made the remark during a meeting with the leaders of various associations in Bayelsa State at the Headquarters JTF.
Atewe, told the union leaders that the fight against illegal oil bunkering and oil theft was a collective responsibility and should not be left in the hand of Security Agencies alone.
“Security is everybody 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” said General Atewe.
According to him, the Mandate of fighting illegal oil bunkering and related offences in the region can only be effective if all hands are on deck. “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. The fight against criminalities in Niger Delta can only be reliable and effective through providing timely information to us. Apart from the economic lost, the continues rupturing and breaking of oil pipelines causes a lot of health hazards to the people of the region thereby polluting the environment which could in turn result in the out-break of epidemic”, he added.
General Atewe revealed that continues exercise aimed at eradicating and stamping out all forms of illegal oil bunkering in the region will create a good atmosphere for the oil companies to do their legitimate businesses thereby boasting the Nation’s economy. He used the medium to assure the Associations of JTF readiness to execute its mandate professionally while calling all stakeholders to join hand in the fight against criminality and other sundry crimes.
The Commander JTF informs them of the composition of the JTF which he said has been expanded since the transmutation of the Task Force from Operation Restore Hope to PULO SHIELD. The newly incorporated agencies according to the Commander comprised of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and oil companies.
Furthermore, General Atewe stated that working in close liaison with these newly embedded Security Agencies into JTF has assisted the JTF in dominating the rivers, creeks, maritime and through aggressive aerial surveillance to checkmate the activities of economic sabotage in the area while providing safe passage for legitimate businesses
In his own contribution, the Chairman National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Erebuo Thank God thanked the Commander for providing an interactive forum where all stakeholders come together to rub minds on issues affecting security in Bayelsa and contribute meaningful ideas that will aid the Commander in carrying out its mandate.
He assured the Commander of his union’s support in fighting criminalities in the region. In his own contribution, the chairman of Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association Bayelsa State Chapter, Henry Igborigi seek for JTF’s assistance in checking the inflow vehicles to mechanic village even as he pledges his Association’s support through giving out information that will aid the JTF in carrying out its mandate. Other Trade Union Association that attended the meeting includes Swali Market Association, representatives of keke NAPEP Association, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMA) and Spare Part Dealers Association amongst others.
