By Emeka Nwokocha
Concerned Journalists Forum (CJF), Nigeria, has charged the government of Delta State to take decisive action to stop community youths from collecting illegal levies – popularly known as “DEVE” from property developers in the state, stating that if Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is determined to stop the cruel act he would achieve it right away.
CJF, gave the charge, in Warri recently in a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, and Secretary, Comrade Emeka Nwokocha, and Mr. Celestite Ukah, calling the attention of the government of Delta State to the worsening trends of illegal collection of levies (Deve) by community youths in the state.
CJF stressed the compelling need to eradicate the illegal and anti-development practice, noting that the repeated reference to the ban of ‘Deve’ by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his constant call on the youths to shun the illegal practice are fast becoming a rhetoric, while the obnoxious practice continues to wax strong by the day.
Continuing, CJF stated that though the Delta State Government had done the needful to enact a law banning the illegal youth-instigated practice, but noted that mere enactment of the law is not enough to rid the state of the illegal practice, saying it has eaten deep into the marrow of community youths who oftentimes see the illegal collection of development levies as an easy means of making quick money at the expense of the unprotected and defenceless poor citizens.
CJF drew the attention of Governor Oborevwori to the fact that the illegal collection of levies from property developers by community youths had since become an ingrained culture whose origin could be traced to the weak democratic system in the country that seems to have elevated thuggery and lawlessness to the peak.
It added that most of the community youths behind the Deve oftentimes boast of their connection with high profile political persons in the country.
Thus, they are oftentimes unshaken as they remain defiant, despite the repeated warnings by the Governor.
It added that most residents are reluctant and sometimes very scared to call the police when they are being extorted by community youths because of the weak law enforcement systems in the country.
CJF said, “Most times, the demand for ‘Deve’ is done in a hostile and intimidating manner that pose threat to innocent residents.”
CJF further stated that eradicating ‘Deve’ is beyond enacting a law that bans it, adding that a more decisive action will have to be taken by the government of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to finally stamp out the nefarious practice.
Continuing, CJF put forward suggestions to the government of Delta State to consider in order to bring an end to ‘Deve’.
First, the government should constitute a committee to move round the most affected communities and hold townhall meetings with the community natives and residents, then take the message of the governor and explain the laws that ban ‘Deve’ to the grassroots and demand compliance from those perpetuating the cruel act.
Second, the traditional rulers in every community should be made to compel their subjects to shun ‘Deve’ and should be seen to be taking actions to curb the menace in their communities.
Third, the security agencies should be inspired to do their jobs diligently by responding quickly to every complaint about ‘Deve’ made by innocent citizens.
Fourth, a functional telephone number should be activated and made accessible to the citizens and residents in the state through which complaints about ‘Deve’ will be made to designated authorities and actions will be taken immediately.
Fifth, the judiciary should be empowered to be up and doing in hearing cases on ‘Deve’ without delay.
Sixth, sensitisation programmes should be regularly aired on radio and television to take the message further to the grassroots.
Seventh, the citizens and residents should be inspired to promptly turn in their petitions in the event that their complaints were not given attention by the law enforcement officers and such petitions will be promptly attended to and treated accordingly.
CJF concluded that if Governor Sheriff Oborevwori would heed its advice, the issue of ‘Deve’ will totally be eradicated and the state will embrace an unprecedented development in no distant time.
CJF added, “No state, irrespective of its abundant resources will develop when lawlessness and breakdown of law and order are the order of the day, just as the youths perpetuating ‘Deve’ are presenting Delta State before the international community. “Take the bull by the horns,” CJF stated.
