Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has expressed delight over the peaceful resolution of the Soku oil well dispute between Rivers and Bayelsa States.
Speaking in Porthacourt on Saturday during a Yuletide visit to his Rivers counterpart, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Gov. Diri said he was delighted that under Gov. Fubara, both states have agreed to return to status quo, thus ending the dispute over the ownership of the oil well and withdrawing the cases in court.
The Bayelsa governor said the peaceful relations between both states was necessary for their development and called for its continuity.
Gov. Diri also lauded Gov. Fubara for his handling of the demolished property of the Bayelsa State in Pott Harcourt, which is still in court while both states are close to reaching an amicable settlement.
He stressed the importance of regular interactions between both states, while assuring Gov. Fubara of the support of the government and people of Bayelsa at all times.
Also, Gov. Diri hailed the cooperation of Rivers State in tackling the vandalism of oil facilities, which has led to the formation of a joint taskforce to tackle the menace and forestall further damage to government facilities, particularly power infrastructure.
“We came to pay you a Christmas visit. You surprised us early this year and as brothers we decided to also visit you. Going forward, we should continue to visit each other to keep both states peaceful and to allow for our development.
“Rivers and Bayelsa are one. Since you came on board, both states have been peaceful. Now, we have understanding even in areas where we had issues.
“For instance, the Soku oil well. We have agreed to go back to status quo before the crisis and there is peace now. That matter is out of court.
Read also: Infrastructure deficit, inadequate funding, security concerns remain NPA’s major challenges
“Recently, our state was in darkness for four months due to vandalism of Transmission Company of Nigeria facilities. We waited for TCN but took up the challenge because they were too slow and the vandals destroyed more facilities. Today, we have a joint surveillance team to check vandalism and we are happy.
“We also had issues with Rivers because our property was demolished. We instituted a case but as you came on board, solutions are being sought,” the Bayelsa State governor stated.
Governor Fubara in response said both Rivers and Bayelsa States need each other to make progress, insisting that the two states cannot be separated.
He called on Gov. Diri to revive the Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States Commission and strengthen the cooperation among states of the Niger Delta region.
The Rivers governor noted that whatever happens in one state affects others and as such states in the Niger Delta cannot develop individually.
He also stressed the need for both states to live peaceably together, saying that but for the purpose of administration there was no difference between the two states.
He said leaders owe the people of their states lasting legacies as leadership was about serving the people and bowing out when it is time to do so.
