Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has proposed a Gulf of Guinea security summit to identify remote causes of the increased maritime crime and draw a roadmap that could ensure sustainable peace in the area.
The Governor who stated this at a workshop aimed at developing a community-based crime preventive strategy said a Gulf of Guinea security summit will help reduce the spate of insecurity in coastal communities of the Niger Delta region.
The workshop is organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, and sponsored by the German Government kicked off in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital this Tuesday.
The three days event will focus on four coastal states of Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, and Cross River with representatives to chart the way forward for a crime-free society.
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Governor Douye Diri emphasized the need to build stronger policies in the fight against drugs, land, and maritime crimes particularly, in the Gulf of Guinea.
Diri maintained that meaningful engagement of youths remains the panacea to youths restiveness and increased social vices.
Bayelsa state had earlier this year, inaugurated a drug abuse committee to drive its vision of a drug and crime free state.
(Editor-Abaje Usekwe)