How IYC boss averted crisis as Bayelsa tax collectors shatter tankers’ windscreens
The President, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Peter Timothy Igbifa, has averted a clash between revenue collectors from Bayelsa State and tanker drivers on the East-West Road.
The youths were said to have shattered the windscreens of three tankers compelling their drivers and their colleagues to barricade the major highway that connects most of the states in the Niger Delta.
The situation it was gathered heightened tension and caused a breakdown of law and order compelling the Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Security, Akpoebi Agberebi, to race down to the conflict scene.
Sources said after shattering the windscreens, the tax collectors abandoned their duty post at Zarama axis of the East-West road and ran away.
It was gathered that all the pleas of Agberebi to get the tank drivers out of the road proved abortive as they insisted that they would remain there until the tax collectors fixed their windscreens.
But the IYC boss, who was reportedly on his way to Warri in Delta State, saved the day when he ran into the blockade.
Igbifa confirmed the development, saying God sent him there on time to avert bloodshed on Ijawland.
Igbifa said he ensured free flow of traffic on the road and settled the dispute before leaving the area.
Igbifa commended Agberebi saying his intervention contributed immensely in averting the crisis.
He also called on the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to redeploy the revenue collectors in the area and send responsible persons to the East-West Road. “This is not the first time these revenue collectors are doing this along this road. They have behaved so irresponsibly that the governor should immediately remove them from the East-West road and send responsible people to the road”, he said
