Delta State government yesterday announced a new strategy to tackle illegal crude oil bunkering, kidnapping and pipeline vandalism, among other criminal activities in the riverside communities.

The programme would also ensure reduction of armed robbery attacks, car snatching and vandalism of public property like street lights and other utilities.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan announced the plan yesterday at his Office Annexe, Warri during the inauguration of 12 Community Development Committees (CDCs) in the Warri Federal Constituency.

The governor lamented that illegal bunkering had devastated and polluted the aquatic lives and environment in the oil rich area. His words: "I flew over the areas yesterday (Sunday) with helicopter and I saw that the water surface was polluted by oil."

The governor said the community-based approach would be executed through the 106 members in the oil-rich communities spread across the 12 CDCs of Orere, Ogidigben/Ugborodo, Okere, Okere-Urhobo, Ogbe-Ijoh/Isaba/Diebiri and Gbaramatu, among others.

He urged leaders of the CDCs to ensure that illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and hostage-taking became a thing of the past in their various communities, adding: "If you do not achieve anything else during your tenure, ensure that there is peace and security - that is your greatest challenge."

Uduaghan advised the CDCs to focus on criminal vices such as armed robbery, car snatching and vandalism of street lights, among others. He noted that the committees,which were created following the return of peace to Warri after the ethnic strife, have achieved some successes, especially in the areas of ethnic harmony and peaceful co-existence.

The governor conceded that the paucity of fund militated against the efficiency of the committees, saying some of those saddled with the funding of the CDCs faltered. Uduaghan assured that the committees would henceforth get their funds as at when due. But, he said: "It is not all about funding, it is also all about responsibility."

The governor urged those at the helm of affairs at the CDCs to ensure judicious use of the funds. The Chairman of Agbarha CDC, Israel Abido, promised that they would continue to build on the fledgling peace in the area.