Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan expressed his administration’s determination to get to the deeper issues which led to the latest crisis in some communities in Warri North Local Government Area of the state.
Dr. Uduaghan who stated this on Tuesday while inspecting some of the affected communities said that the State Government was interested in the deeper issues which caused the fresh crisis with a view to finding a permanent solution
Governor Uduaghan, who described the fresh attacks as unfortunate, implored people of the affected communities to maintain the peace always and put the sad incident behind them and move on with life.
The Governor accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government said, “We will not pretend over what has happened; the incident is an unfortunate one; we never expected it to happen again after what we have been through few years ago. But since it has happened, we are determined to look into the deeper issues which led to it and address it properly for it not to occur again.”
“Government will find out the extent of damage, but I want to implore all of us to remain peaceful for it not to happen again. The environment is more peaceful now. Government will increase security, not only in the communities, but also in the waterways and I want to appeal to all of you to start going about your normal activities,” the Governor said.
Dr. Uduaghan who visited Eghoro, Obaghoro, Gbokoda and Tebu also said that government would look into the immediate and long term solutions to the crisis, promising that “We will do everything to restore damaged properties, including the buildings razed down. A lot has been put in place to ensure safety of all in the affected communities and so be rest assured that you are protected now than ever before.”
While disclosing that relief materials were being sent to affected communities, Governor Uduaghan stated the rebuilding of the razed communities would be done through the communities’ leadership and not through contracts.
The various communities’ leaders including Megbuluba Blesidone, Monday Mene, Pa Jackson Umewe, Monday Alaigba, who spoke urged Governor Uduaghan to come to their rescue, saying that they were suffering.
The Chairman of Itsekiri Oil and Gas Producing Impacted Communities Development Committee (IRDC), Chief Emami Ayiri, preached peace among the people, stressing the need for both the Itsekiris and Ijaws to live at peace.
He said; “What happened is ungodly and unfortunate. IRDC will support Government in the rebuilding of the affected communities. We will do everything to assist Government in our little way. I want to tell my Itsekiri brothers and sisters that they should continue to live in peace with the Ijaws in our midst as they are our brothers and sisters. There is no need to ask the Ijaw to move out of our communities.”
A victim of the crisis at Obaghoro Community, Madam Faith Nido, a mother of seven who said she lost her husband to the crisis of few years ago cried for help, saying what she lost to the fresh crisis of July 2, 2013, including eight rooms were worth 2 Million naira.
“I really need assistance from Government as I have lost everything and do not know where to start from right now. Government should not abandon us. Surviving has not been easy since the attack. We want our houses to be re-built,” she said.
