Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has given a one-month ultimatum to AITEO Exploration and Production Company Limited operating in Nembe Local Government Area of the state to remit funds due Bassambiri community to enhance the peace efforts in the area.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Wednesday when the Opu Nembe (Bassambiri) Peace Steering Committee submitted its report on the protracted crisis in the community.
The chairman, Vice Admiral Victor Ombu (rtd), presented the report during the 173rd session of the state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa.
Senator Diri lauded the panel led by a former Chief of the Naval Staff for the peace building effort in the community.
He said his name would be indelible in the history of the community for accepting to chair the committee towards restoring lasting peace in Bassambiri.
The Bayelsa governor expressed concern that for over three decades, the community had been embroiled in intractable conflicts among people he described as brothers, and appealed that it was time to embrace peace for the sake of posterity.
His words: “For Bassambiri to be in dispute for the past three decades is unthinkable. We cannot continue to play politics with lives of the people. It is time to sheathe the sword and embrace peace, development and progress.
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“From day one of my administration, l started preaching peace and reconciliation. Again, l call on Bassambiri to show light where there is darkness. We cannot continue to go round the same process in restoring peace. Peace is priceless and we cannot sacrifice unity on the altar of politics.”
The governor asked AITEO to remit funds due the community to the Peace Steering Committee in line with his administration’s
earlier directive as part of efforts to promote peace.
“I call on AITEO to help build the ongoing peace process. It should remit every kobo to the Peace Steering Committee in line with my earlier directive four months ago. In the next one month, AITEO should comply. I do not want to hear that they are still in default of my directive.
Senator Diri assured the committee, which was constituted in September 2024, that its recommendations would be implemented and directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to carry out an assessment with a view to constructing a link road in the community and submit a report within two weeks.
The governor, who also admonished the people of Bayelsa West senatorial district against early political campaigns, cautioned his appointees in the district to desist from campaigns of calumny and heating up of the polity.
“I want to warn all those from the west senatorial district that are publicly or making clandestines moves for the positions of Senate and House of Representatives to stop the campaigns of calumny. I had earlier cautioned them but now l am issuing a warning to them to stop heating up the polity.”
Presenting the report, Admiral Ombu expressed gratitude to the governor for giving them the opportunity to serve.
He also thanked him for not interfering in the activities of the committee, stating that the panel conducted its meetings in an environment of civility and mutual respect.
The committee made several recommendations, which included enhanced security presence in Bassambiri,
constructing a road to link the Unity Bridge, and that certain conditions be met before the conduct of election in the community.
It also recommended the promulgation of a kingdom-wide constitution, that oil companies be made to be alive to their corporate social responsibilities and in agreements entered into with the community as well as the enthronement of freedom of association and choice in Bassambiri.
