By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa — Bayelsa State Government, yesterday, warned that it will not come down hard on communities that are in the habit of vandalising oil facilities in their domain at the slightest provocation.

Governor Seriake Dickson handed down the warning during the commissioning of 14 Shell Petroleum Development Company, sponsored projects executed by the Iduwini Development Foundation communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.

Represented by the state Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mr Francis Ikio, the governor decried the continuous destruction of pipelines and oil wells by youths in oil bearing communities.

He said “Some communities at the slightest provocation vent their anger on oil facilities. They may think they are fighting the companies but they are fighting the state. We depend on oil for our revenue and currently, we are facing short fall due to destruction of facilities in the communities. When oil production is disrupted, we lose revenue that would have accrued to the state.

“The destruction of oil facilities has impacted negatively on the financial fortunes of the state and the government and its people are suffering. We are warning communities now to restrain themselves and stop vandalising oil companies facilities in the interest of the state. Stop the unnecessary and incessant destruction of oil facilities in the state, “ Dickson said.