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Oil Wells: Amaechi Urges FG’s Redress …As Kalabaris Protest Ceding Of Communities To Bayelsa
Holy Aminadoki , a second year undergraduate beneficiary of the Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s Special Overseas Schorship Programme (middle), displaying the highest GPA award of the Economics Department of the International College of Manitoba, Canada, he won recently.
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has called on the Federal Government to correct defects arising from the 11th administrative map of Nigeria by the Boundary Adjustment Commission.
Amaechi, who spoke in Calabar, while declaring open a legislative capacity building programme for the Rivers State House of Assembly hinted of plans by the state government to head for the courts if the defects were not addressed.
He said,”we will not allow the attempt by the Bayelsa State Government to collect our oil wells. I have read what the Bayelsa State governor said, that the 11th edition of the (administrative) map (of Nigeria) gave them the oil wells. When? They didn’t talk about the 1st edition to the 10th edition, they chose to avoid that, and went to the 11th edition, but the question they should answer is: why avoid the previous editions?”, Amaechi queried.
Amaechi explained that the Federal Government had promised in court to correct the mistakes in the 11th edition, saying that the legal documents were filed by their lawyers who admitted the mistakes contained in the 11th edition of the map.
“But the Federal Government came to court and said, ‘oh, we made a mistake in the 11th edition, we will correct it’. They should correct it, the documents were filed by their lawyers, not our lawyers. All we want is for the Federal Government to go back to the 10th edition and correct everything,” he said.
“Bayelsa State was created so many years ago, there has been no law ceding that part of Kalabari kingdom to Bayelsa State. Now, when did it suddenly change? It changed in 2006, but I don’t want to join issues. I want the Kalabari people to represent themselves, and I will stand behind them, and all what we are saying is that they should look from the 1st to the 10th edition (of the administrative map) and not an imaginary 11th edition”, Amaechi added.
“It won’t work; it will certainly not work, no matter how they try to intimidate the agencies of the Federal Government, we will continue to go to court and let our people know that the agencies of the Federal Government are being intimidated, that is what we are saying.”
Governor Amaechi urged Rivers people to stand behind his administration to ensure justice, equity and fair play are achieved over the sudden claims by the Bayelsa State Government.
“All we want is for Rivers people to stand by us, Soku community has been in Rivers State long before Bayelsa State was created. Elem- Sangama is not a ward in Bayelsa State, but they said, they don’t want territory, they want derivation, how can that work? Does oil come from the air? He has already answered the question for us, but we must struggle to get back our oil wells,” Amaechi said.
Speaking further, Amaechi expressed gladness that the retreat for the state lawmakers was holding in Calabar, saying that one of the benefits of the retreat was to acquire knowledge and challenge the lawmakers to evolve useful contributions that would better the lives of Rivers people.
He said, “very soon, we shall present the Appropriation Bill, the kind of bills you have passed into law are useful to the people, they have brought development to Rivers State and contributed towards making the Assembly a veritable instrument for good governance in the state.”
Also speaking, the Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke while appreciating the lawmakers for holding the retreat in Calabar, said no compensation was paid to Bakassi indigenes that were currently passing through hard times.
“A whole local government area was collected and handed over to Cameroon and uptill now no compensation has been paid to my people, I think it is right for the Federal Government to look at these problems critically,” he said.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Otelemaba Dan Amachree had said the purpose of the retreat was to lift the level of participation in the lawmaking process by the legislators and to keep focus with the purpose for which their people gave them mandate in the various constituencies to represent them.
“Lawmaking represents the desire of the people and how they want to live their lives, it is the legal expression of their voices to ensure good and effective governance of the state,” he said.
The Kalabari ethnic nationality in Rivers State has vowed to resist the attempt it had to cede part of their territory to Bayelsa State.
The Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disreal Bob-Manuel, who spoke at a press conference shortly after a protest march in Port Harcourt, said that Kula, Suku, Idama, Elem-Sangarma and other communities purportedly ceded to Bayelsa had been part of the Kalabari kingdom right from the creation of old Rivers State in 1967, adding that even after the creation of Bayelsa State in 1996, the communities were still part of Rivers State.
King Bob-Manuel said that Bayelsa State’s claim to the area was borne out of the greed for oil and gas money, as opposed to genuine interest in the development of the affected communities.
The traditional ruler also faulted the decision of the National Boundary Commission to cede part of Kalabari kingdom to Bayelsa State based on the 11th edition of the administrative map of Nigeria which adjusted the boundary between the two states from Santa Barbara river to the Sombreiro river, thereby depriving the kalabari people of their communities.
Also speaking, Chief Emmanuel Awoyesuku regretted that the National Boundary Commission refused to adhere to the ruling of the Supreme Court in suit No SC106 2009 which advised that the money accruing from oil and gas in the affected areas be paid into an escrow account pending the determination of the matter.
According to him, the Supreme Court had said that it could not rule on the matter until the publication of the 12th administrative map of Nigeria, and regretted that rather than adhere to the directives of the court, the National Boundary Commission decided to cede the area to Bayelsa State.
In his remarks, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Nimi Briggs said that the Kalabari people were not against any individual as far as the matter was concerned, stressing that the National Boundary Commission was the only problem the people were contending with.
Prof Briggs said overwhelming evidence exists which indicates that the boundary between old Brass and Degema Divisions is the Santa Barbara river.
On his part, Barrister Ibim Dokubo said that it was too late for the people to be excised into Bayelsa State, stressing that such attempts would be resisted.
The protest which started from the Isaac Boro Park terminated at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Government has said it would strive to preserve the cordial relationship it shares with the people of Bayelsa State within the context of mutual respect and observance of rights of each state.
However, it regrets the attempt by Bayelsa State Government to instigate the presidency against the people of Rivers State.
While it would not submit to any act of intimidation in protecting the property and resources of the people, the state government said it accords the highest respect to the persons and office of His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has blamed Bayelsa State for distortion of facts on the current oil well dispute.
Rivers State condemns the undue favouritism of paying Bayelsa State the revenue from the disputed oil wells originally kept in escrow account.
Also, the state is at lost why the authorities chose to rely on administrative map whose authors had acknowledged as inaccurate and promised to remedy.
John Bibor
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.