How Sylva tackled militants in Bayelsa – Aide

Soji Ajibola, Yenagoa - 20.01.2008

Facts have emerged on how the Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has been able to curtail the activities of the militant youths in the state, as the Permanent Secretary, Governor’s office, Rev. Theophillus said it was done through the creation of employment opportunity for the teeming youths in the state.

Disclosing this during a breakfast meeting with the newsmen in Yenagoa on Saturday, the Permanent Secretary recalled how the state was nearly turned to a hot bed of crisis at the early stage of the present administration.

He said that the reported cases of kidnapping and other related social vices were on the increase as at the time the present administration took over the mantle of leadership, ‘but today there is a relative peace in the state.

To further confirm this, he said that over 99.9% contractors that left the state in the wake of the crisis have signified intension to return.
Rev. Theophillus who newly got promoted to Reverend Canon said that no fewer than three foreign contractors are expected in the state to come and site their factories before the year runs out.

With this, according to him, many youths would be employed, while the economic activities of the state will be boosted. He called on the journalists in the state to assist the government in achieving his lofty objectives through balance and developmental reporting.