Governor Otti made the call on Friday when he received the Joint Taskforce South-South Operation Delta on a familiarisation visit to the governor at his country home at Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.
The governor urged the Taskforce to intensify efforts in the fight against oil theft and illegal operation of refineries, stressing that enforcing such measures would help protect the state’s resources and foster economic stability.
He lamented over the activities of illegal refineries in the state and warned that perpetrators of such activities would be made to face repercussions.
Otti urged the taskforce to treat operators of illegal refineries as enemies of the state.
Earlier, the Commander of the Taskforce, Rear Admiral John Okeke, explained that part of their mandate was to curb illegal activities in the oil and gas sector in Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Imo, Ondo, Anambra, Delta and Edo States.
Okeke, who expressed the willingness of the Taskforce to collaborate with the government to curb illicit activities within their areas of operation, therefore, appealed for logistics support to enable the Taskforce to achieve its mandate.
