The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has sued for calm following the raging controversy over the redesign of the country’s currency notes by the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Diri maintained that it is within the rights of the government at the centre to implement the policy and urged it to take practical steps to reduce the pains being experienced by Nigerians.
A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said the governor spoke during the 22nd state security council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on Monday.
He lauded the people of the state for not resorting to illegal means of resolving the issues, expressing optimism that the challenges being faced as a result of the policy will soon be over.
Diri said, “Currency redesigning is an exclusive matter for the Federal Government. All we can do is to call on the Federal Government to reduce the impact on the people. I appeal to all Bayelsans to keep the peace. We have no other state of our own.
“We are all aware that by Saturday elections will commence. Our state has been safe and I like it to continue. All of us should join hands with the security agencies, give information to ensure our state remains safe. Let me commend service commanders for ensuring our state is safe.
“We are all currently undergoing difficulty caused by some policies of the Government. The pain is time-bound but the policy has its advantages.”
On the recent skirmishes in Nembe-Bassambiri that claimed some lives, Diri again admonished traditional rulers to take proactive steps to ensure peace in their domains.
He said any traditional ruler that cannot keep the peace in his domain is not fit to preside over the affairs of his people.
The governor restated his warning to depose monarchs whose domains have become theatre of war.
Frowning on the Nembe-Bassambiri crisis, he said government had taken practical steps to bring the situation under control but warned that if it escalates, he would impose a curfew on the community.
He stated that he has directed the arrest and prosecution of all those behind the killings, saying the state cannot afford a situation where Nembe will be a flashpoint during elections with senseless killings taking place.
Diri noted that politics should be a means of serving the people and not warfare, urging politicians to play by the rules and remain civil as civilians.
The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Ben Okolo, assured the people of adequate security in the state during the general election.
He restated the ban on the use of 200-horse power engine boats, saying it will be vigorously enforced.
