By Samuel Oyadongha
Yenagoa—Following pocket of protests by repentant militants over unpaid allowances in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, the state government has assured residents of the state of their safety, saying the ex-militants do not pose any threat to the present administration.

The government said it was duty bound to bring the boys out of the creeks for them to embrace the amnesty programme of the Federal Government.

Special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters, Chief Richard Kpodo, gave the assurance weekend while inaugurating the Brass chapter of Concerned Bayelsans for Timipre Sylva at Twon in Brass local government area of the state.

The governor’s aide, who reiterated the commitment of the Timipre Sylva’s administration to bring meaningful development to the state, said the ex-militants camped in various rehabilitation centres in the state were showing signs of penitence as the issue of their allowances had been settled.

Kpodo, who is also the state coordinator of a body known as Concerned Bayelsans for Timipre Sylva, said the priority of the state government was to give accelerated development to the people of the state, especially the rural areas.

He said they were embarking on the campaign to ensure that the lofty ideas of the present administration was not derailed as, according to him, political opponents in the state are bent on using diversionary measures to disrupt the administration of Timipre Sylva.  Kpodo expressed confidence in the ability of the state government to handle security related issues, adding that he was not embarking on campaign for the governor’s re-election yet.

But that Concerned Bayelsans for Sylva was formed to help propagate the good political intentions of the state government.

The body which, according to the governor’s aide, is aimed at sensitizing the grass roots, will be extended to all the local governments areas of the state.