By Emma Ogbuehi
Bayelsa state government has warned against unauthorised use of parks and public places in the state. The government asked those involved in the act to desist from it. In a release, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Iti Orugbani, who spoke on behalf of the state government, stated that henceforth no person or group of persons or organisation is allowed the use of state-owned public spaces and parks, particularly the Peace Park, without due application and subsequent approval from the ministry.
According to the commissioner, the directive was necessary in order to check nefarious activities and other illegal acts often perpetrated by unauthorised persons at our public spaces and parks. He enjoined any organisation intending to use the Peace Park to seek the due authorisation of the state government before doing so.
The statement reads:
“It has come to the notice of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Culture and Tourism that some individuals and groups now use the state government-created public spaces and parks without the required authorisation and permit of the government.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Iti Orugbani, on behalf of the state government, hereby directs that henceforth no person or group of persons or organisation is allowed the use of state-owned public spaces and parks, particularly the Peace Park, without due application and subsequent approval from the ministry.
This directive has become necessary in order to check nefarious activities and other illegal acts often perpetrated by unauthorised persons at our public spaces and parks.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism further wants the public to note that he has not given approval to any organisation or group to use the Peace Park as a convergence point for any social, economic or political activities or protest march”.
He therefore enjoins any organisation intending to use the Peace Park to seek the due authorisation of the state government before doing so.
All concerned are to note that security operatives have been put on notice in order to enforce this directive.