By John Akinfehinwa
The Kogi State Chapter of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil & Gas, Northern States, is set to recruit ten thousand oil pipeline surveillance security team for the protection of oil & gas installations in parts of the state against vandalization.
The Kogi State Chairman of the body, His Eminence, Bishop Gabriel Simon Ojoka gave the hint on Monday when he led some of his members on an advocacy visit to the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Idrisu Dauda Dabban.
Bishop Ojoka said the recruitment of security surveillance has become necessary to tackle the activities of pipeline vandals in parts of the state.
He said the action is also in line with the federal government’s directive to all the oil-producing states as many host communities have since complied.
“It is long overdue for the recruitment exercise and in no distance time, we shall do the needful. We are here also to solicit security collaboration with the police as we want to ensure that whatever we are doing is in line with security guidance. We are, therefore, ready to equip the police with the progress of all our activities in the state” Bishop Ojoka said.
He commended the Federal Government for the declaration of Kogi State as an Oil Producing State which according to him will enhance the living conditions of the citizens saying that it is a dream come true.
Bishop Ojoka disclosed that within the week, the group will hold a peace meeting between Ibaji Oil Community in Kogi and its Anambra counterparts on the way forward to embrace peace and shun all violent means of seeking redress.
He urged them to be peaceful in carrying out their activities in the state as there cannot be any positive development in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony.
The Police Commissioner also harped on the need for the communities to be guided by law in whatever they do or actions they take.
