BY Emma Amaize

WARRI—THE Commissioner representing Ijaw  ethnic nationality in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, has urged kidnappers and other criminally-minded youths  in the state to take advantage of  various skill acquistion and capacity building programmes of the commission.

Reacting to the release of Mr. Ebikeme Clark, son of Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, he said: “Kidnapping and other forms of criminality do not pay, that is why DESOPADEC has come up with several skill and empowerment programmes. They are for all, especially the youths, who should leverage on them as the state moves to Delta-Beyond-Oil.”

Otuaro  warned troublemakers in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, to desist from stoking the dispute between ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and Chief Mosco Johnny.

He said: “Tompolo and Chief Johnny are visionary sons of Oporozawei descendents in Gbaramatu Kingdom. Chief Johnny is a brave and ardent pupil of Tompolo’s philosophy. There can be no animosity between them. Fifth columnists and conflict racketeers should steer clear because what happened was a mere communication breakdown.”

He enjoined progressive minds in the area to support “the conflict resolution efforts driven by His Royal Majesty, Pere of Ogulagha Kingdom and the Regent of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

“We will continue to support the peace and security agenda of the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. This is necessary for DESOPADEC to deliver the much needed infrastructural and human capital development to the oil and gas producing communities in the state.”