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We Will Not Protest For Fear Of Attack—Residents.
As the nationwide protests against hardship begins Today, Yenagoa , the Bayelsa State Capital has been relatively calm,as protesters are yet to be seen in anywhere at the State Capital with the presence of heavy security men on major roads in the city.
Our Correspondent Chris Mark who went across the State Capital to get the feelings of the people, reports that many residents were seen going about there normal businesses.
According to most of the residents who do not want their names mentioned said that they are willing to protest but because of the threats of attack they decided not to protest, however they appeal to the government to intervene on the sufferings faced in the country.
Their words” When Jonathan was on seat they had this kind of protest and things were better then. A bag of rice as at that time was N7,500 to N8,000 now how much is a bag of rice, is our right to protest and it is the only way we can make government know our plights but it’s unfortunate the government is not ready to listen to us.
“And if we start now is either they send thugs to attack us or arrest us, so there’s no need. If at all they will listen, they should bring the price of petrol to N200,and see if prices of things will not come down, in short everything should come down,we can no longer go to market”.
Governor Douye Diri, during the visit with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri acknowledged the rights of the people to protest in a democracy but stressed that there must be a good reason, which he argued can be resolved through dialogue.
He said his administration deployed dialogue from the beginning and because of his performance, the people re-elected for another term.
He called on Bayelsans to come to the roundtable to resolve any grievance against government’s policies.
Diri again advised the people not to join the protest given that it was being orchestrated by failed politicians in the state.
He directed that there will be no public holiday in the state as all government offices, markets and businesses will open for normal daily activities.
