Niger Delta
$951m Payment: Diri Appeals To FG To Implement Court Judgement
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has appealed to the Federal Government to implement Monday’s Abuja Federal High Court judgement ordering the payment of $951 million as shortfall in oil derivation revenue due to the state.
Governor Diri made the appeal in his first public reaction to the judgement on Wednesday inside the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr, Daniel Alabrah, the governor said the money was due to the state based on the Constitution and the 13% derivation principle.
Governor Diri, who said his administration was open to dialogue with the Federal Government to amicably resolve the matter, noted that constant litigations would not engender cordial relationship between states and the centre.
His words: “ Let me use this opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government to please implement the consent judgement that has been delivered.
We are prepared for dialogue to ensure that we have a smooth relationship with the Federal Government. We believe that governments are one and the same and we have the task of protecting and bringing peace to our country. Litigations would not bind us together as a people.
“What is right is right. Clearly, these are monies and finances that are due to Bayelsa State by the Constitution and the 13% derivation principle.”
In another development, Senator Diri urged people of the state to set aside their differences and live in peace to engender development.
He gave the admonition on Wednesday when he received a report of the committee set up by the state government on the Peremabiri community crisis.
Diri, who acknowledged that disagreements were a part of co-existence, noted that such should be peacefully settled in the spirit of brotherhood.
While stating that meaningful development would not take place in the absence of peace, he called for an end to conflicts that lead to destruction of lives and property in the state.
He decried constant conflicts experienced in some communities in the state, saying that through his administration’s intervention; most of the brewing crises were averted.
He described Peremabiri as a richly endowed community in both human and natural resources but regretted that such gifts had been negatively utilised as it had been embroiled in crises for about four decades.
“As a people of Ijaw ethnic extraction, l likes to call on all of us to continue to live in peace and harmony. That is the only way that we can confront challenges that come our way. That is the only way we can develop as a people and bring prosperity to the state.
“Today, we are handling issues about Peremabiri. But there are pockets of conflicting situations dotted across the state. As you are aware, this administration has been trying its best in handling most of these crises by nipping them in the bud.
“We cannot afford fratricidal wars, inter and intra-communal conflicts that have dotted all the spaces of Southern Ijaw and the state. It is time for us to go back to those good old days that our forebears lived in peace.”
While thanking the committee led by the member representing Bayelsa Central in the Senate, Senator Moses Cleopas, Diri assured that his government would take an unbiased look into the report with a view to implementing it.
The governor, who expressed optimism that his administration would bring a lasting peace to the community, called on all to support its initiative to end the conflicts in the area.
Earlier, Senator Cleopas stated that findings of the committee revealed the absence of a generally accepted constitution, frequent change of leadership, divide and rule tactics by Shell Petroleum Development Company were some of the causes of conflict in the community.
To forestall future conflicts, the committee recommended the enactment of a new constitution, signing of a peace accord by major actors, signing of a new Global Memorandum of Understanding by SPDC, among others.
The peace and security committee on Peremabiri was set up in January 2021 following attacks on the community by unknown gunmen.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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