Bayelsa State is soon to set up an agency to regulate the extraction and transportation of black sand from the state’s waterways and coastal areas.

Governor Douye Diri, who revealed this during yesterday’s Executive Council Meeting of the state, therefore, warned foreign interests behind illegal activities in the waterways and coastal areas of tough sanctions if caught.

Diri’s warning follows a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the rights of Bayelsa and Lagos States over the control and management of activities above the surface on their waterways.

The governor recalled that the two states successfully challenged the Federal Government at the apex court over the control of their waterways, resulting in the landmark judgment.

According to him, Bayelsa’s Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner’s Office, which is studying the judgment, would provide the legal framework for the establishment of the waterways agency.

Diri said: “Our government joined hands with that of Lagos State, and we were in court with the Federal Government over the control of our waterways. At the end of the day, that partnership yielded results as the Supreme Court gave judgment in favour of both states.”

“I have directed the Attorney-General to study the judgment, and we shall now set up our own waterways agency so that activities taking place on our waterways, including the transportation of black sand and other resources, will be properly regulated under the authority of the Bayelsa State Government.”

The governor described black sand as a valuable natural resource that must be managed responsibly by the state government.

“There is no government, particularly the government of Bayelsa, that is doing so much to engage our youths and create opportunities for them to work that will at the same time prevent them from earning a living.

‘’We want our youths to work, but we want them to engage in legitimate activities,” Diri stated.

He directed the Ministry of Environment to intensify engagement with mining operators and explore opportunities for value addition within the state rather than allowing raw materials to be extracted and exported without tangible benefits to the people.

“Going forward, we intend to back these measures with law. It will no longer be a matter of executive directives alone. A bill will be prepared and taken to the House of Assembly so that all stakeholders can contribute, and when passed, everyone will be guided by the law,” Diri said.

On power supply, the governor appealed for patience over the ongoing expansion of electricity distribution under the state’s independent power project.

He explained that outages and delays were caused by infrastructure upgrade requirements and recent gas supply disruptions resulting from a leakage on the pipelines. (The Nation)