Several unemployed persons have fallen victim to conmen who are using the name of Bayelsa State Government to defraud job seekers.
The fraudsters are said to have printed fake employment forms which they sell at a rate of between N20,000 and N50,000.
Reacting to the reports, Bayelsa State Government said it has directed security agencies in the state to apprehend some persons, who are selling fake oil and gas forms to members of the unsuspecting public, under the guise of providing them with jobs.
A statement from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Oil and Gas, Hon. Basil Kenbo, disclosed that, some criminally minded elements have been found to be behind the scam, which is purely intended to extort money from Bayelsans.
In his words “some criminally minded and dubious elements are using my office to illegally perpetrate crimes by selling fake oil and gas forms to members of the public with the prime aim of extorting money from them.
“I wish to categorically state that, the office of the SSA to the governor on oil and gas has not authorised the sale of forms to any person or group of persons to the best of my knowledge as regards employment of Bayelsans into oil and gas companies,” he said.
While the security agencies are on the trail of the suspects, he warned Bayelsans to be weary of such characters and report anyone in the act to the security agencies.
Kenbo also warned those perpetrating the unwholesome act to desist from it, as anybody caught will be made to face the full weight of the law, stressing that, non-existent job opportunities should not be used to defraud Bayelsans.
“Government is doing everything humanly possible to fish out those behind the act for justice to prevail, in line with the policy objectives of the restoration government under the leadership of Governor Seriake Dickson,” it said.
The statement advised the public to disregard the information, describing it as misleading and without any iota of truth, adding that, the government meant well for Bayelsans and will continue to ensure the protection of lives and property of the citizenry.
According to Kenbo, “the government is not resting on its oars, as efforts are being made to create jobs and such opportunities will be made public through the relevant agencies of the government at the appropriate time.”
However, an independent source told The Tide, that the scam is being perpetrated by some senior government officials, a situation that makes the deal look genuine.