Environmentalist Urges Govt To Establish Commission

An environmentalist and human rights activist, Mr Alagoa Morris has reiterated the need for Bayelsa State Government to establish Oil Producing Area Development Commission.

Morris said that the establishment would help in boosting the development of oil producing areas in the state.

This was contained in an open letter to Governor Seriake Dickson over the weekend in Yenegoa, the state capital.

The environmentalist in the open letter, made available to The Tide also suggested the need for the commission to be funded from the 13 per cent derivation funds given to the state from the federation account.

He noted that the suggestion has become necessary as the derivation fund is meant to address development challenges in these communities.

Morris who said that oil producing communities bear the negative consequences of oil exploitation added that it is necessary for government to pay special attention to insecurity if the waterways.

He commended the Governor Dickson’s led administration for his transparency policy in public finance and expenditure, adding that the strategy had help tro keep the people abreast on the state’s monthly financial status.