In this exclusive interview, His Royal Highness (Chief) Wariebi Berebozigha, the Ama-Miepinamo Owei 13th of the Federated Ikarama Communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, speaks on his achievements, the persistent neglect of his community by the government, oil companies, and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and his appeal for urgent intervention. Before granting this interview to ODEH OKIOMA, he invited all his cabinet members, underscoring the collective concerns of his people.
May we know you?
My name is His Royal Highness (Chief) Wariebi Berebozigha, the Ama-Miepinamo Owei 13th of the Federated Ikarama Communities. I ascended the throne on February 10, 2024, and within this short period, I have made significant efforts to improve the lives of my people. I have installed solar lights, even though we acknowledge that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has illuminated other parts of the region with solar power. Unfortunately, Ikarama, an oil-producing community, has been completely ignored. Every solar light in our community has been installed through communal efforts. We have also built an auditorium and constructed two roads, as well as a town hall for recreational purposes. These are my modest achievements so far, and with God’s help, along with the support and cooperation of my subjects, I am determined to do more when the opportunity arises.
Despite being a peaceful community with no history of violence, pipeline vandalism, or oil theft, the Bayelsa State Government, NDDC, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) have consistently neglected us. There is an old saying that “the cow that has no tail relies on God to drive away flies.” That is our reality.
Ikarama Federated Community is an oil-producing area. What benefits have you received since your enthronement?
Sadly, we have received almost nothing despite the presence of major oil companies such as SPDC and NAOC, which have been operating here for decades. If you take a walk around our community, you will see pipelines crisscrossing everywhere, yet the roads and bridges constructed by these oil giants serve only their flow stations and facilities, not the people.
Our people have suffered greatly from environmental degradation and health issues caused by oil pollution. Between 1988 and 1995, NAOC built a health center, equipped it, but then abandoned it. Over time, it was overtaken by weeds and reptiles and was eventually vandalized. Recently, it took the intervention of Governor Senator Douye Diri, his deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and Commissioner for Health Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe to renovate and upgrade the facility into a cottage hospital. We are deeply grateful for this gesture.
Despite years of neglect, our youths have remained law-abiding, refraining from protests, pipeline vandalism, and oil theft. We are one of the most peaceful communities in the state.
SPDC provided us with electricity, but it is connected to the Adibawa flow station, meaning that whenever they shut down operations, we are thrown into darkness. NAOC gave us a generator but expected us to fund the purchase of diesel to power it. Our people are mostly peasant farmers and cannot afford such expenses. As a result, the generator remains unused, affecting the water supply they provided. Additionally, SPDC began constructing a guest house but abandoned it midway. Only God knows when they will resume work, but once completed, it could generate revenue for our community.
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Does the Bayelsa State Government support Ikarama in terms of infrastructure and political appointments?
Not at all. Ikarama is the largest community in Okordia Clan, yet we have been marginalized in terms of infrastructure and political representation. If you enter from the East-West Road junction where the Zarama market operates every Friday, you will notice that other communities have functional secondary schools with well-maintained buildings and perimeter fences. The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, and Hon. Ted Elemoforo, the member representing Yenagoa Constituency 3, hail from this area, and their communities have benefited immensely.
However, our own Community Secondary School in Ikarama is in a deplorable state. The buildings are old, and there is no perimeter fencing, leaving the infrastructure vulnerable to vandalism. The electricity provided by SPDC to power the borehole is unreliable, forcing students to manually fetch water for their use and for the corps members serving there. The school also lacks chairs and proper toilet facilities, exposing students to dangerous encounters with snakes when they need to relieve themselves. Due to poor supervision by the Post Primary Schools Board, teachers and the principal attend school at their convenience. I urge the relevant agencies to address these problems, as many of our students are indigent or orphans who need education to break the cycle of poverty. The students need scholarships and better learning conditions.
Additionally, our community needs its own market. Currently, we rely solely on the weekly Zarama market along the East-West Road junction. We appeal to the state government, through the local government chairman, to support us in establishing our own market. We are ready to provide land and any necessary assistance to make this happen.
Are there any challenges with elections in Ikarama?
Yes, we have a large population with about 1,000 registered voters, yet we have only one polling unit. During elections, our votes are often delayed in collation, and by the time they are transported to Yenagoa, electoral officials have already left. We urgently call on the relevant authorities to create more polling units in Ikarama to ensure our votes count.
Recently, the Bayelsa Media Network Award (BMNA) nominated you as the Traditional Ruler of the Year. How do you feel about this honor?
To be candid, I was surprised when the organization visited to announce the nomination. As soon as I was informed, I made sure my entire community, including the Deputy Paramount Ruler, Community Development Chairman (CDC), Youth Leader, Women Leader, and other stakeholders, were present at the palace. The palace was filled with people when the Bayelsa Media Network Award representatives made the official announcement.
I am deeply honored and grateful for this recognition. It motivates me to continue serving my people with unwavering dedication. What makes this award even more special is that I did not solicit for it; it was given purely on merit. Coming from the fourth estate of the realm, this recognition will always be treasured and will serve as a reminder of my commitment to the well-being of my people.
