Posted by From Chuks Okocha in Port Harcourt on
What could have resulted in a bloody clash between the military and the rural community in Rivers State was yesterday averted by Governor Peter Odili when he stepped into the face-off between the Nigerian Airforce and Rukpakwulosi Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area over a fence being erected by the Airforce.
What could have resulted in a bloody clash between the military and the rural community in Rivers State was yesterday averted by Governor Peter Odili when he stepped into the face-off between the Nigerian Airforce and Rukpakwulosi Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area over a fence being erected by the Airforce.
Odili who visited the site of the construction of the fence, along the new Airforce Junction Link road in Port Harcourt, addressed the community members, including chiefs, youths and women who were protesting at the site. He thanked them for the mature way they had approached the issue, and advised them not to do anything that would affect peace in the area.
'Now that you have tabled the matter to me, I would urge you and all our people here, to leave it in my hands" Odili said, adding, 'go home quietly, you will hear from me very soon".
He expressed delight at the community posture of non-violence saying, 'I am happy that you have approached this matter peacefully and responsibly, and you also believe in the rule of law," he added.
Also speaking, the community leader, Chief Chikwendu Okocha complained to the governor, that the fence being erected by the Airforce in the area, was cutting off the community from gaining access to their farmlands, as well as depriving them access to the major road recently built by the state government.
Chief Okocha appealed to the Governor to intervene in the matter so as to forestall any crisis in the area, pointing out that the Community believes in the Rule of Law and appreciates the fact that the Lease on the land held by the Airforce had not elapsed yet.
He said the Community had come out to peacefully register their protest to the Airforce in view of the fact that the fence being erected denied them access to their farmlands, which is their main source of revenue.
Meanwhile Governor Odili has expressed satisfaction with the quality of work on the Airforce base-Eliozu-Airport road project saying that it is intended to provide durable and quality road to the people of the state.
Dr Odili who said this when he paid an unscheduled inspection visit to the project site at the Eliozu axis of the road observed that although the difficult terrain of the area has delayed the expected completion period of the road project, it was his conviction that the delay was to ensure that proper job was done.
He commended the construction firm for insisting on quality adding that when completed the project would stand the test of time.
The Special Adviser on Maintenance, Mr. Lasbury Amadi said work on the road project was now at its final stage, which includes laying of slabs, stone base and asphalting.
Governor Odili also inspected the extent of work on the Rumuepirikom, Rumuolumeni-Iwofe Road project under construction, as well as the Rumuokwuta/Ngboba/Choba Roads in Port Harcourt.