Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on traditional rulers to assist the government in curbing crude oil theft and ensuring the economic stability of Nigeria.
Speaking at the 117th/118th Combined Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara emphasized the crucial role that these leaders play in safeguarding their communities from illegal activities.
The meeting, held at the Council’s Secretariat, saw Governor Fubara urge the monarchs to take proactive measures against youths involved in economic sabotage. According to a statement from the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor stressed the importance of communal vigilance and cooperation with government efforts to enhance crude oil production.
Governor Fubara remarked, “I want to see a different society from this hour. The Federal Government is doing everything to see that our crude oil production level increases. But every day, we are having issues of illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalisation and all the associated problems.”
Highlighting the fact that those engaged in these criminal activities are from local communities, he urged the traditional rulers to take charge of their areas. He said, “All these people that are carrying out these evil acts, they’re not coming from the moon, they live in our communities, we know them. I am charging this council, as a first step, to take charge of your communities.”
The governor assured the rulers of the government’s support, including possible financial aid for setting up local vigilante groups. He stated, “If there is anything that we need to do, if it means the government sending you some little support financially to create your own vigilante to help, we will do it.”
In his response, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, praised Governor Fubara for maintaining peace amidst political tensions. Eze Wodo urged the governor to avoid retaliatory violence and advised supporters to steer clear of provocations.
He stated, “All of us know that those that are over-heating the polity have one aim: to make the State ungovernable so as to make it ripe for a declaration of State of Emergency. Please, Sir, advise your supporters to avoid every invitation to violence.”
Eze Wodo also appealed for unity and peace across political divides, emphasizing the shared responsibility to protect the stability and growth of Rivers State.
