Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, yesterday signed into law the bill passed by the state House of Assembly, prescribing death sentence for the offence of kidnapping in the state.
The bill which was titled Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied Offences Bill 2013empowers the governor to approve 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.
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.
Meanwhile, the board of the c, BDIC, including the Minister for Petroleum, Mrs Dieziani Allison-Madueke, Professor Edmund Daukoru and other dignitaries will be inaugurated today by Governor Seriake Dickson.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the inauguration of the BDIC Advisory Boardis aimed at repositioning the economy of the state and ensure diversification from oil and gas sector of the economy.
It added that the move was in fulfillment of Governor Dickson’s vision of diversifying the state’s economy beyond oil and gas together with his drive to stimulate private sector participation and the need to attract both foreign and local capital to the state. This was the motivation behind 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 board 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.
Leave a Reply