Metro
Iwofe Route: Where Passengers, Boat Drivers Defy Pirates
Few metres from the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolemeni, lies a prominent jetty, with huge passenger traffic ferrying between Port Harcourt and neighbouring riverine communities.
Iwofe Jetty as it is popularly called is an ancient waterfront market called “Minikpiti” by the locals in Rumuolemeni community.
It used to be a key market place where many riverine communities from Tombia, Bakana, Abalama, Okrika, Kugbo in Odual, Otuegene in Ogbia, Ogbakiri, Ogbogoro and Choba sell their farm produce in the olden days.
Today, that jetty has still not lost its verve, as it hosts all kinds of businesses, especially during the weekly market days when neighbouring communities bring their produce for sale every five days.
Such products include timber from Kugbo in Odual, periwinkle and fish from Abalama, Tombia and Bakana, while farm produce like garri, cassava and yam are seen displayed at the mouth of the jetty.
Aside these businesses, Iwofe jetty is a major route for those living close to Port Harcourt. Not fewer than 5,000 persons ply it daily.
For instance, a boat ride from Tombia is just 10minutes from the city, while Ogbakiri is just five minutes. The same goes for Ogbogoro town which on land will take one up to 15minutes cab drive depending on traffic hiccups from St John’s and or from Rumueprikom axis.
As the city traffic worsens over the years, the sea route has become more convenient for many commuters to get to their destination faster.
However, despite its proximity to Port Harcourt city, The Tide Metro learnt that the major challenge to sea farers and passengers using this route are sea pyrates, who molest and cart away belongings of passengers.
Though Godsown Jembi-Isi claims that sea piracy has gone down, others interviewed say it occurs once in a while.
The fire outbreak at Nembe-Bille waterside two weeks ago may have contributed to rising passenger traffic at Iwofe Jetty.
Many boat users now find Iwofe Jetty much safer and shorter to go through.
Last Wednesday’s visit by The Tide Metro to the jetty shows that passenger traffic has grown higher than before, and also many people say it is closer to the town, than going through the Old Port Harcourt township, especially those doing business uptown.
Ipalibo Ngiangia told The Tide Metro that he prefers the route than going through the land.”I live in Tombia and I come to Port Harcourt daily to do business, “as he reasoned that Tombia is closer to Port Harcourt than Bakana”, Just within eight minutes or less, you are in Port Harcourt from Tombia”.
Investigations by The Tide Metro indicate that many passengers consider it cheaper and faster to use boats from Iwofe Jetty to Tombia, Ogbogoro and Ogbakiri communities.
Passengers pay N400 to Tombia and N200 to Ogbakiri. Ngiangia said it used to be cheaper than that until the recent fuel scarcity, as he recalled paying N250 early this year from Port Harcourt to Tombia.
Ngiangia wants government to construct bridges across to connect these communities, “Sometimes when we get here in the night, we take risks to cross, but we do not have any option.”
Beach Master, Godsown Jembi-Isi told The Tide Metro that they have placed a ban on night journeys, “We ask boats to stop plying the routes as from 6.30pm. The only grace we give drivers is for those residing in Tombia or Ogbakiri once it is late.
“With the rainy season setting in, Mr Jembi-Isi said they need a waiting hall, as he noted that the current one built by the Minikpiti community cannot take many passengers. “The rains are coming and passengers need to have shade while waiting for boats”.
Vote Okeh, a boat driver of over 25 years experience, who plies Iwofe to Tombia and Ogbogoro routes frowned at the poor security on the sea route, “From here up to Bonny River, there is no presence of any security boat and that is why we are at the mercy of the pirates.”
He disclosed that even though most of the boat drivers are trained and licensed by NIMASA, yet, they cannot prevent the menace of pirates.
Asked on the safety measures put in place to reduce accidents on the sea way, he said, “You can prevent the level of accidents, but you cannot totally avoid it.”
Apart from that, he decried the level of wastes and debris on the sea route, “Our engines are usually affected, “he stated, “Even the Federal Inland Waterways Agency and NIMASA are yet to clear the sea from wastes. And that causes a lot of accidents”.
On what drivers should do to prevent accidents and attacks on the sea route, he said, “Let them take away fear while boarding; and passengers must wear life vests in case of any accident.”
For Ajetekaa George, a deck hand who controls and directs the boats, “it takes a lot of courage to ply the route.”
On safety measures put in place for passengers, he said, “Life vests are now compulsory for all passengers. If you do not want to wear it, we ask you to go down from the boat.”
He also said they avoid night journeys to prevent being robbed on the sea.
By: Kevin Nengia
Traditional rulers in Rivers State say they are mobilising their subjects to ensure Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s administration succeeds.
The Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers(RSCTR), Eze Oha Apara IV of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu – Wodo gave the assurance at the 117th and 118th quarterly general meeting of the council held in Port Harcourt.
He commended the state governor for maintaining peace in the State despite the unwarranted political crisis orchestrated by selfish and overzealous politicians.
He stated that Governor Fubara should not retaliate by toeing the violent path, adding that Rivers people know those who are over-heating the polity.
The chairman further appealed to people of the State on all sides of the political divide to remember that they have nowhere else to call home apart from Rivers State, saying that they must not allow their personal interests to destabilise and stifle growth of the State.
“As traditional rulers, we owe our State the duty of making it peaceful by cautioning our children against violent act. We, therefore, cannot caution anybody if we allow ourselves become overly partisan.
“ We will then lose the moral authority to reprimand those causing trouble when we take sides.So I say let us all work assiduously to maintain peace in Rivers State,” he said.
He used the medium to advise the supporters of the governor to avoid persons or events that will cause violence, as detractors want to make the State ungovernable so as to call for the declaration of state of emergency.
“ Let me use this opportunity to thank Your Excellency for maintaining peace in the State in the face of the unwarranted political crisis orchestrated by selfish and overzealous politicians.
“ You must not, Your Excellency, fall into their traps by going the violent way. All of us know that those who are over-heating the polity have one aim of making this state ungovernable so as to make it fit for a declaration of state of emergency”, Eze Worlu- Wodo said.
He thanked the state governor for appointing him as the chairman of traditional rulers, council adding that he will contribute his own little quota to the development of the traditional rulers council and by extension, our dear State, Rivers State.
“ Council records have shown that this is the second time since you became Governor of the State on May 29, 2023 that you have approved and released funds for two sets of combined quarterly meetings of the council.
“ This means that your administration is not indebted to us in terms of payment of our meeting sitting allowances.
“ It takes only someone who is both law-abiding and generous to be able to do this.
“On behalf of the traditional rulers, I thank you our Governor”, he said.
Stories by Kevin Nengia
As the Rivers State Ministry of Transport announces an ultimatum to commercial drivers to paint their vehicles with the approved state colour latest on August 1, some commercial drivers have pleaded for more time.
The directive was announced on Monday by the State Commissioner for Transport, Prince Collins Onunwo as it insisted that after the deadline, defaulters will not be allowed to operate.
He said in a statement signed by him that the new order is for uniformity and to ensure subsidised rates. “The Rivers State Ministry of Transport and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have reached an agreement with some designated automobile painting workshops, interested persons can contact the following persons.”, he said.
Meanwhile, responding to the directive, some commercial drivers who spoke to The Tide Metro sought for more time so that they can source money to paint their vehicles.
Kennedy Amahu, who plies between Choba and Mile One said , “ the time is too short. August 1 is just less than two weeks from now and I don’t think many of us can meet the deadline.”
Besides, he explained that many commercial vehicle owners do not paint their vehicles as this allows them to take charter and drops into restricted facilities.
He argued that if their vehicles are painted with state colour, many of them will lose customers and will be restricted to enter some places.
On his part, Hope Nwankwo decried the time given by the government, “ I can’t meet up, but if they extend it to October”, many of us can try.
So far, according to Nwankwo, who ferries passengers from Iwofe to Mile One, Diobu, many of his fellow drivers are not aware of the new policy.
He begged that government should do more extensive publicity on the new directive.
Another commercial driver, Anele Nwobi said what should be done is to register the vehicles to monitor car theft than painting vehicles.
“As far as I’m concerned, “ Nwobi said, “ this new government directive will empower Agberos and the police to harass commercial drivers.”
He recalled that previous administrations had given such directive but that after a while, it failed because of poor implementation.
Nwobi argued that with the poor economy, it would be difficult for many drivers to meet the deadline since most of them are on hire purchase. “The price of fuel is too high now for most of us to cover our daily returns, he said.”
Jaja Stephens, a keke bus driver told The Tide Metro that painting vehicles is quite expensive and hence, many of them will be put out of the road.
Apart from pleading for time extension, Stephens further stated that there is need for the drivers unions to sensitise their members, stressing that many of them are not aware of the new government directive.
It was supposed to be a book launch but fate turned it into a day of reminiscence for natives of Rebisi in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State.
For over 113 years when their great grandfathers ceded some parts of their land to colonial masters and named it after Sir Harcourt then Secretary of Colonies in 1913, natives of Port Harcourt became part of the new metropolis now called Port Harcourt.
According to Eze Apara Rebisi, HRM Isaiah Elekwu, about 25 square miles of their land were ceded to develop the new city which included a new port and railway at the time.
Fortunately, the book launch turned to a historical forum as speaker after speaker spoke of the past and the rich heritage bequeathed by their fathers.
It was this backdrop that made the paramount ruler of Port Harcourt, HRM Elekwu to charge historians to begin earnest documentation of Rebisi people as a way to preserve their heritage.
The royal father gave the charge during the launch and public presentation of the book, ‘Rebisi Natives of Port Harcourt: History and Developments’ written by Arthur Kalagbor held on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
The monarch said intellectuals in the Kingdom should engage more in written than oral history, as he commended Kalagbor for leading the light in documenting his people.
He described the book as the beginning of a new era in Rebisi Kingdom and quest to ensure that there is cohesive and united front among the people.
Calling on elites in Rebisi to rise to the challenge of leadership, Eze Elekwu said time has come to save the future of the Kingdom.
Part of the charge by the Rebisi monarch was to make sure that the struggles of their great grand fathers were captured.
For instance, he recalled that while the 1913 agreement made both by Okrika and some Rebisi chiefs were rejected, the colonial authorities were forced into accepting it.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Sunny Amadi said he was elated that a new awakening has started in Rebisi Kingdom with the book.
The university teacher however, advocated for a new economy for Rebisi as he called for use of estate development to drive future growth of the people.
“In his words, Today most parts of Rebisi have been overtaken by development and that is why I urge our people to see opportunities from the estate , and built environment to preserve the future of children.”
Reviewing the book, Dr Chris Akani described the work as historical legacy, that seeks to throw light on the ontology of the people.
He stated that the seven-chapter book with 106 pages is fluid and easy to read, with special focus on the origins of Rebisi people.
Akani added that, “it’s an exciting book that has come at the right time and I think the author should be given a resounding ovation”.
The book reviewer noted that the book is a response to the desire of indigenes to know their roots.
Following the expansion and migration by Rebisi children which included, Okuta. Abali; Ola Ekenigbo and others.
Said he, “Rebisi had four wives, and he was a young man aching for success. And so the children did not relent to expand like Orubom and Abali who were adventurous.”
The expansion according to the university don was as a result of wars and skirmishes and this took place between 1700- 1734. And this led to the conquer of Elekahia.
While launching the book, former House of Representatives member representing Port Harcourt Constituency, Hon. Ken Chikere described history as key to the future.
He said, “if we know our history, then, we will be fully guided.”
Hon. Chikere, a former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General added,” “What is important is to know where you come from. We need to learn our history, so that no one writes our story for us.”
In his remarks, the book author, Arthur Kalagbor disclosed that the book is an outcome of a study group set up by Rebisi Monarch in 2014.
In the view of Kalagbor, the book is not a folklore, but rather a collation of oral history compiled and confirmed by various sources.
He said,” Even with the lack of reading culture, we still need to write with information that are verifiable and evidence-based.”
With the completion of the assignment to collate history of the Kingdom, he noted that he was compelled to expand the frontiers to cover other areas of culture and origins to educate the young generation.
Kalagbor reiterated that the book is dedicated to the future generations who have little knowledge of their history, and thanked royal fathers, and local sources for support, including former President of Ogbakor Ikwerre Organisation Worldwide, Prof. Otonti Nduka for writing the forward of the book.
Kevin Nengia