Dickson signs Bill on death sentence for kidnappers in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa — Governor  Seriake Dickson of Bayels State, yesterday, assented to the bill passed by the state House of Assembly, prescribing death sentence for the offence of  kidnapping in the state.

Tagged Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied Offences Bill 2013, it empowers the governor to accent to the death warrant of any person or group of persons convicted for the act of kidnapping and other related offences in the state.

Dickson, in Yenagoa, during the signing of the Bill into law, warned those involved in acts of kidnapping to stay clear of the state because he would not hesitate to sign their death warrant.

*Gov Seriake Dickson

He said: “If you are involved in any act of kidnapping, let me warn you today, don’t come near Bayelsa. We have put measures in place. I have, commissioned 15 fast moving patrol boats for use by our security forces to ensure maritime security and safety.

“If you try that, whether it is sea-piracy or kidnapping, we are going to get you. We will make it difficult for you to succeed and whoever you are and wherever you are operating from, we are going to get you.

“I am aware that the security agencies have made several arrests and most of the young men and women, who are involved in the recent kidnappings that took place are currently in custody.

“Any of them found guilty of the offence will be dealt with in accordance with the law. Today, with this bill having been signed into law, we have entered a new phase in terms of the provision of the legal framework that will support our fight against kidnapping and related offences.

“It is morally indefensible for young people, for whatever reason, to go under the cover of darkness, armed with illegal weapons, to terrorise villages and old people in their homes and then forcefully abduct and rough handle old people and take them as an article of trade.”

…. To inaugurate BDIC Board

Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, Professor Edmund Daukoru and other notable dignitaries have been appointed into the board of Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation, BDIC, which will be inaugurated today by Bayelsa State governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

The inauguration of the BDIC Advisory Board, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, is aimed at repositioning the economy of the state and ensure diversification from oil and gas sector of the economy.

The statement added that the move was in fulfillment of Governor Dickson’s vision of diversifying the state’s economy beyond oil and gas, coupled with his drive to stimulate private sector participation and the need to attract capital, both local and foreign. It said that this informed the administration’s initiative to send a Bill to the state House of Assembly establishing the Bayelsa Development And Investment Corporation, BDIC.

Members of the committee are: Governor Seriake Dickson, Ambassador Lawrence Ekpebu, Chief Duate Iyabi, Chief Ayakeme Massah, King Amalate Johnny Turner, King Edmund Daukoru, Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chief Francis Doukpola, Dr. Daru Owei, Air Vice Marshall Samuel Atti (rtd),Ambassador Emmanuel Otiotio, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Maduaeke, HRM King Alfred Diete- Spiff, among others.