By John Ikani
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, alongside leaders of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and other stakeholders have calmed frayed nerves arising from the N48 billion pipeline surveillance contract awarded by the Federal Government to Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.
The Nigerian Government had last month announced the award of the multi-billion Naira surveillance contract to Tompolo to curtail oil theft across the Niger Delta region, a situation that caused disagreement between the ex-militant warlords.
Diri, who convened a meeting alongside leaders of the INC led by the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba and other stakeholders to resolve the issue, said leaders of the Ijaw nation and other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta have resolved to work together to protect federal government facilities in the region.
Tompolo, King Ateke Tom and Chief Dokubo Asari had representatives at the meeting held in Government House, Yenagoa.
“I am happy that the issue has been put behind us. Beyond building consensus, all hands must be on deck to protect the oil pipelines,” said Diri.
“Today, we have seen the end of the matter. Before now, there was a deafening silence in the INC. But today, that voice is resonating and I thank all Ijaw leaders that took it upon themselves to ensure that the Ijaws do not fight themselves.
“Tompolo and Asari are brothers. We have all come to a consensus to protect all federal presence, especially oil pipelines in the Niger Delta, as we sue for peace to attract development.”
Diri commended Prof. Okaba and others for demonstrating leadership.
At the end of the meeting, the INC issued a communique, noting that a five-man reconciliatory committee was constituted to interface with the various groups and individuals on the pipeline surveillance issue to ensure that perceived differences are totally resolved and that youths will now work together, in the spirit of brotherhood, to safeguard the relative peace in the region.
“We do not want further bickering and disorder in any part of the Niger Delta region. The region should not be distracted by these ‘soupcons’, let us focus on the ‘big picture’ of the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.”
