“Why I Remain Calm In The Face Of Insults And Provocation” –  Governor Fubara

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that he chose to remain calm in the face of insults, disrespect and provocation because Rivers State can only progress in an atmosphere of peace.

The Governor also regretted the negative impact of Petroleum products bunkering on the economy of the country.

This is even as he charged Traditional Rulers in the State to prioritize the maintenance of peace and security in their various domains.

Governor Fubara, who spoke on Monday, July 22, 2024, at the opening ceremony of the 117th and 118th edition of the quarterly meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, noted that illegal oil exploration   has tended to render nugatory all efforts by the Federal Government to shore up production level.

According to him, the incessant vandalization of oil pipelines and other facilities as a result of oil bunkering, has brought about a loss of a considerable quantity of crude oil monthly.

He, therefore, urged the Traditional Rulers to monitor closely, activities in their domains, with a view to assisting the Government in protecting oil facilities, as well as halt the rampant oil theft ongoing in some parts of the state.

“These people that are carrying out these acts ( oil theft ) are not from the moon. They live in our communities and we know them.

“I am charging this Council, as a first step, to please take control of your communities. If there is any information you want to share with us ,do so.

“The overall interest is that we need our country to progress, be stable and grow economically. And it can only be so through stable oil production” the Governor noted.

The Rivers state Governor insisted that no meaningful development can take place in any society without peace.

He explained that the meek disposition of his administration in the face of unprovoked insults and disrespect from some quarters is mainly informed by his belief that Rivers state can only progress in a peaceful atmosphere.

He appealed to the Traditional Rulers to always aspire for peace in their communities .

This is just as he assured them of adequate financial and moral  support from  the State Government in the task of maintaining peace and stability in their various domains.

While commending the leadership qualities of the Chairman, as well as the tremendous positive impact he has made within the short period of his appointment, Governor Fubara  promised to provide the Traditional Rulers with official vehicles for the effective discharge of their duties.

“What we are doing here today is not politics, but performing our duty as a Government. And I want to commend the Chairman of the Council who is barely three months in office,for being able to put this meeting together .

“It shows leadership. There is nothing new that has happened. The immediate past chairman ( Sergeant Awuse) served out his term which is one year .

“It is at the discretion of the Governor to extend it or not. I believe from my assessment ,there was no reason to extend it.

“Rather, we felt it will be better to bring in  new blood. And what we did was in good faith because our Communities and people are more important”, he stated

The Source reports that in April 2024, Governor Fubara relieved the erstwhile Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council Chairman, His Royal Highness, Sergeant Awuse of his Chairmanship position.

He was replaced with Eze Amadi Worlu Wodo.

Awuse is a known ally of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whose relationship with godson Governor Fubara has since gone sour .

The Governor  had cited as one of Awuse’s disrespectful attitude the printing of the Council’s 2024 Calendar without his picture and that of his Deputy, an act that he considered the height of disregard to his office for the non extension of Awuse’s tenure.