BAYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson has charged security agencies to intensify efforts at keeping the state safe before, during and after the December 5 governorship election.

Dickson, who made the call yesterday in Yenagoa while playing host to the new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apoehi Suleiman, restated his administration’s commitment to partnering with the Navy to effectively police the waterways in the state.

“We expect no less from you. And at a time that our state is gearing up for general election, we are counting so much from the Navy and other related security services to ensure that violence along the waterways does not discredit or mar the poll.”

He expressed concern over the resurgence of kidnapping in the state, stressing that government’s efforts to secure the environment for business and other social activities would yield little result if the command failed in its constitutional mandate.

He commended officers and men of the command for their dedication to duty, which he noted, had resulted in increased crude oil production in the state.