Rivers, Bayelsa Settle Rift Over Disputed Soku Oil Wells

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Rivers and Bayelsa States Governments have affirmed their commitments towards resolving their differences through brotherly dialogues.

At a Christmas meeting at the Government House ,Port Harcourt on Friday December 28,2024 ,Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Bayelsa counterpart Douye Diri ,expressed their determination to end the long standing feud between the two States over the Soku Oil Wells .

The Source reports that the two sister-states have been engaged in hot disagreement over issues relating to the ownership of the prized Soku oil wells and some properties in the Rivers state capital inherited by Bayelsa at its creation out of the former.

Besides the issues of the oil well and properties, Governor Diri, who led some Bayelsa State officials on a  Christmas visit to his Rivers state colleague assured that the two States will be  intentional in fostering peaceful coexistence among their people.

During the visit, which was perceived to be in response to an earlier one in the year by his Rivers counterpart, Senator Diri also appreciated all the efforts so far made by Governor Fubara in peacefully resolving some other long standing issues between the two states .

He particularly thanked his Rivers state colleague for working in concert ,with him to reach an agreement over the disputed Soku Oil Wells ,as well as the take over of  Bayelsa state  properties in Rivers state.

Most of the properties he noted, were appropriated by past Rivers state administrations leading to the institutionalization of a legal action at the Supreme Court by Bayelsa state.

On his part, Governor Fubara noted that it is in the best interest of Rivers state to amicably settle all areas of disagreements between the two sister-states.

He stated that the historical ties between the States, which were once one, has made it more imperative for issues to be amicably resolved.

The Rivers State Governor, therefore, called for more understanding and cooperation, between the two states in the over all  interest of growth and development.