The management of Darlon Security and Guards says its operations has
created more than 4,000 youths hitherto engaged in oil theft and sundry crimes in the creeks of Bayelsa.
The security firm in a statement issued in Yenagoa by the outfit's
Public Relations and Security Coordinator, Mr Preye Oseke on Monday said the
firm has curtailed vandalism of pipelines in its areas of operations.
The firm noted that resulting from its clampdown on oil theft, oil firms
in the state were recording increased production and hence the corresponding
oil derivation revenue accruing to the state in the past two years.
It dismissed allegations that the company was involved in criminal and
illegal acts in its operations in swamp areas of the state and maintained that
as a responsible and law abiding firm it operates within the limits of the law.
The firm, reacting to the resolution sponsored by the member representing
Sagbama Constituency 2 in the state Assembly, Mr Bernard Kenebai, noted that it
was an irony that the legislator ignored the strides made by the firm.
It would be recalled that Kenebai, a retired Lt.-Col had on July 2, 2018
while presenting the motion criticised the security firm accusing its employees
of extra-judicial killngs amongst other heinous crimes..
The security outfit described the allegations from Kenebai, as "
ill-conceived, malicious, unfounded and politically motivated." and
wondered why the lawmaker, a security professional was playing politics with
security.
It said that going by the experience of the lawmaker, he ought to know
that his allegations were frivolous and is far from the truth.
The firm stated that personnel of the security outfit do not bear arms but compliment efforts of conventional
security agencies including the JTF,
Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps amongst others
According to Oseke, suspects
arrested in the course of its duty, usually are handed over to the appropriate authorities
for prosecution.
He said rather than condemning the activities of Darlon Security and
Guards, the House should have commended the company for combating the menace
posed by oil thieves in the state
Oseke explained that operations 0f the firm in the last few years have changed the
narrative in the entire Swamp Area which hitherto was the hotbed of crude oil
theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refineries.
"Today, the state revenue has increased sharply with more funds
coming to the government coffers through the 13 % derivation.
“This is as a result of increase in crude oil production due to our
operations in conjunction with the security agencies in the swamp area.
"In addition, over 4000 jobless youths have been taken off our
creeks and streets through our effort by engaging them in surveillance jobs and
also helping to curb illegal refining of stolen crude oil.
“These have tackled also the attendant destruction of the environment
and aquatic lives.
"Also, medical outreaches have been organized at different times for
the rural folks in the Swamp area, while women also are being empowered as part
of our corporate social responsibilities.
“It is also an established fact, that multinational oil companies have
commenced projects in communities due to the drastic reduction of oil theft in
the general area.
"We consider the motion as sponsored by Hon. Kenebai as
ill-conceived, malicious, unfounded and politically motivated all in an attempt
to cast aspersion on our genuine efforts to secure the nation’s critical oil
and gas assets and discredit us in the public domain.
"The Management of Darlon Security and Guard is unperturbed and
will not be distracted and is focused on its core mandate of eliminating all
forms of criminality against oil & gas facilities in the swamp area."
The statement read in part.
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