Alagoa faults Bayelsa Govt on recent killings of fishermen on the waterways

By Timi Black
Chief Correspondent

A Niger Delta environmental rights activist, Comrade Moris Alagoa has faulted Bayelsa State Government on the recent killing of fishermen on Bayelsa waterways by unrepentant sea-pirates.

This was contained in a Facebook post, he personally made on his private account on Saturday.

The environmentalist said pirates are rampaging on the State’s waterways due to inefficient of the security bodies in charge of the waterways.

He charged the State Government to prioritize policing of the waterways, adding that the State security bodies on the waterways be overhaul for optimal efficiency.

The statement read: “It is indisputable fact that Bayelsa is more Riverine than Rivers State, most Deltaic than Delta State, and having rivers than Cross Rivers State. However, the security architecture of the State has not taken the Creeks, Rivers and Atlantic coastline into consideration.

“Only recently fisher folks were attacked and some lost their lives and engines to Sea pirates around Twon-Brass coastline”.

A survivor who narrated his ordeal said the sea robbers came in about six speedboats to attack their victims.

According to Alagoa: ” Now, when fisher folks are targeted like bandits making farming difficult in some parts of the North; it poses serious threat to the local economy.

“The idea of Bayelsa Volunteers as introduced by the administration of Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha was partly to deal with security challenges in the Creeks; not necessarily in Yenagoa, capital of the state. Things have turned topsy-turvy because those who came up with the original concept are no longer in government; even though it was a creation of law.

“Besides the lack of basic social amenities, insecurity has been the main reason most folks couldn’t go to their communities anymore. It also has serious relationship with civil servants and postings; especially teachers and health workers. Most regrettably, it has negatively affected the development of our communities too.

“According to our mother, Mercy Alagoa (may her soul rest in peace), she used to enjoy traveling in the Creeks and enjoying the scenic routes until Sea pirates made it unsafe and unpalatable to travel by Speedboats. Yes, she expressed her thoughts that way at Nembe City Hall when the Nengi James Foundation organised a retreat for newly installed Chiefs of the kingdom.

“Whatever is received as security vote ought to be for the entire geographical expression called Bayelsa State and hence, the issue of protection of lives and property should be holistically taken.