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Bayelsa, Rivers have maintained peace over oil wells – Diri
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has challenged governors of South-South states to be open to fostering enduring synergy among themselves and embracing measures that would collectively drive sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
Governor Fubara made the challenge when he received the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, who led a delegation of some leaders of his state on a Christmas visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, on Saturday.
He highlighted the dangers of a lack of collaboration and mutual relationships between sister states in the region, which manifest more in the difficulties experienced in achieving enduring and meaningful development.
Governor Fubara acknowledged that more Bayelsans live in Rivers, even if they work in Bayelsa, underscoring the need for a broad-based approach to issues of security, connectivity, and other areas that can make living, business pursuits, and commuting easier.
Fubara said: “In fact, one of the assignments I will want His Excellency, Governor of Bayelsa, to carry on with is this: let us strengthen the BRACED Commission.
“The BRACED Commission has the interest of our zone. So, we can’t talk about development or solving crime issues in Rivers State; because if you solve only that of Rivers State, those criminals might run to Akwa Ibom State, and in the night, they will come back and commit criminal acts.
“So, it must be something that, while we are doing something here, that same synergy must be in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta, and Edo states. That is the only way we can get a solution to our problems. I think you have to really take up this assignment and see what we can record before we leave; because the only thing that can speak for us is those things we have added that will bring changes in the lives of our people.”
Governor Fubara thanked his colleague governor for the Christmas visit, which demonstrated the synergy and mutual strength they both share in providing good leadership to their people. He expressed belief that together, they will commit to protecting all national assets in both states that advance the national economy.
Governor Fubara insisted: “We have a responsibility, as leaders of these two states, to protect the oil resources. The oil investments, both the ones offshore, the ones onshore and within the pipelines, must be protected. It is important to do so, and we are doing our best for that.
“Are we even talking about the amount of money we spend on internal security to make sure that there is peace, knowing how volatile our region is? So, please, we will continue to do it, not because there is anything we want to gain personally. If there is no peace, there can’t be development.
“You can imagine what we went through in the days of militancy. I am so happy today that our region, more especially Bayelsa and Rivers states, are no longer what they used to call us. God has sent that trouble to some other areas.
“So, we are now at peace. It is because we surrendered this situation to the hands of Almighty God. There is nothing God cannot do, when you believe in Him.”
Governor Fubara said the prevailing peace in Rivers and Bayelsa states has been dedicated to God, who will continue to prosper both states.
Speaking, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said that in 2023, Governor Fubara paid him a surprise Christmas visit in his country home, adding that since then, he had planned to reciprocate the gesture.
Senator Diri pointed to the common traits that have bonded the people of the two states, which include ethnicity, culture, social, and economic relationships, and praised Governor Fubara for his friendship.
Governor Diri said: “But more importantly today, I like to also put on record that since you came on board, between our two states, it has been very peaceful. Between our two states, we have had a whole lot of understanding, even in areas where we had some previous disagreements.
“And for me, that is very instructive, and I like to make particular reference to the Soku oil wells that generated a whole lot of heat between our two states.
“For now, between us, we have agreed that let us go back to the status quo before whatever happened. So, we have both directed our Attorneys General to take charge of that, and they have already done the needful. So, there is relative peace between Bayelsa and Rivers states concerning the Soku oil wells.”
Governor Diri recalled how the immediate past administration in Rivers State destroyed their property, which would have led to large-scale retaliation but added that they adopted a legal approach and instituted a case against Rivers State in the Supreme Court.
Senator Diri remarked that since Governor Fubara assumed office, there have been heart-warming discussions, and solutions have eventually been sought to resolve the matter out of court. He explained that both states have been partnering to amicably address their boundary issues, among others.