Bayelsa Bans High Calibre Flying Boat Engines

Commercial boat drivers
and private operators  have been barred from using flying boats with 200 and above horsepower double engine for either personal or business purposes.
The decision for the ban which took immediate effect was announced after the quarterly security meeting of Bayelsa State Security Committee chaired by the State Governor, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson.
Other members of the security committee  include representatives of Navy, Army, Air Force, Police, Directorate of State Security Services (DSS), and other para military commands in the state.
Breaking the news to journalists in Yenagoa, Commander Waipai Mohammed said the measure was taken in order to minimise the menace of piracy along sea routes in the state.
“Apart from pirates, other hoodlums operating in the riverine communities such as bunkerers, illegal operators of refineries, and Niger Delta militants use high caliber engine boats for their operations”, he said.
The decision, observers, believed might not be unconnected with the killings of three solders attached to Operation Pulo Shield at the Foropa areas of Southern IJaw Local Government Area of the state.
During, the meeting decision was also taken to strengthen security apparatus both in the upland and riverine areas.

Fyneface Aaron, Yenagoa