Pipeline vandalism responsible for poor revenue - Okowa

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Pipeline vandalism responsible for poor revenue - Okowa

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday blamed the fallen federal monthly allocation to states on the activities of pipeline vandals, saying that what it presently receives is lower than 20 per cent of what the government received two years ago.

The governor said this when the Commandant, 4 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Banbella Raji, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Asaba, the state capital.

Okowa, who lamented the fallen revenue, charged security agencies in the state to be proactive towards tackling the activities of economic saboteurs, noting that the state was mostly affected.

He however called on security agencies operating in the state to collaborate towards tackling the insecurity situation in the state through information sharing.

He said, "I have always called for collaborative efforts between security agencies operating in the state and I am happy to say that the collaboration especially in the area of sharing of information is working to the benefits of the agencies and the people of the state.

"Pipeline vandalism affected us so much that what we currently receive is below 20 per cent of what the state received two years ago."

Speaking further, Okowa also expressed concern over the frequent clashes between suspected Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the state, adding that the herdsmen were also involved in kidnapping activities.

While promising the state government's continued support for the military, he added, "We hope that the peace we enjoy now will be sustained, it is our hope that the security operatives remain proactive."

Raji had earlier told the governor that his team from the Nigerian Army were in the state to tackle the activities of militants and pipeline vandals in the Niger Delta region.