Bayelsa orders arrest of employment fraudsters

Bayelsa State government has ordered security agencies to arrest the brains behind a recent employment scam in the state, a Government House statement said on Sunday.

The state government warned the perpetrators to desist from the criminal act as anybody caught would face the full weight of the law, stressing that non-existing employment opportunities should not be used to defraud Bayelsans.

The statement signed by Daniel Iworiso-Markson, chief press secretary to Governor Seriake Dickson said the fraudsters are selling fake oil and gas forms to unsuspecting members of the public in the guise of providing them jobs.

According to the statement, Basil Kenbo, senior special assistant to the governor on oil and gas, described the perpetrators as criminally minded elements who are out to extort money from Bayelsans.

Kenbo was quoted as saying, “Some criminally minded and dubious elements are using my office to illegally perpetrate crimes by selling fake oil and gas forms to members of the public with the prime aim of extorting money from them.

“I wish to categorically state that the office of the SSA to the governor on oil and gas has not authorised the sale of forms to any person or group of persons to the best of my knowledge as regards employment of Bayelsans into oil and gas committee.”

The statement did not mention any group behind the alleged scam or where they are operating from but warned Bayelsans to be wary of such characters and promptly report same to security agencies.

The government said they are doing everything possible to fish out those behind the act and bring them to justice in line with the policy objectives of Governor Dickson’s restoration government.

The public has been advised not to disregard the information as government means well for Bayelsans and will continue to ensure the protection of lives and property of the citizenry.

“The government is not resting on its oars as efforts are being made to create jobs and such opportunities will be made public through the relevant agencies of government at the appropriate time,” Kenbo was quoted as saying.