Soku oilfields: Deputy gov, SSG hail Wike, Supreme Court over verdict

TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Deputy Governor Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has applauded Governor Nyesom Wike, and true patriots of the State on the recent Supreme Court judgement over Soku oil wells.

Banigo said since Wike’s assumption of office on May 29, 2015, every action taken by the governor had been taken in the best interest of Rivers people.

She added that the governor’s determination to continue to pursue the matter against all odds demonstrated his determination to ensure that the interest of the Rivers people was protected always.

The deputy governor reiterated that the purposeful leadership of the governor has translated into an exponential increase in the socio-political and economic development of the State.

Similarly, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Tammy Danagogo, has expressed joy over the Supreme Court verdict on Soku oil wells, stating that the apex court judgement will usher in more peace at the Soku oilfields and its environs.

Danagogo expressed: “As the last hope of the common man, I have never doubted that the judiciary would do what is right and what is just. The people of Soku who are Kalabari- Ijaws in Rivers State do not wish to be ceded to Bayelsa State.

“We remain thankful to God, Governor Wike and the Supreme Court and continue to hope for peace and co-operation with our Nembe-Ijaw brothers in the sister State of Bayelsa”, he said.

The SSG commended Governor Nyesom Wike, for his commitment and focus in defending the course of the Kalabari Ijaws, while delivering the dividends of democracy in the State.

He noted particularly that rather than pay lip service to the issue, or play politics with it and play to the public gallery as was done by some of his predecessor, the governor had been dogged, strategic and courageous in confronting it headlong from day one.

The SSG further urged Ijaw people in Rivers and Bayelsa States to always tow the path of peace by abiding with the court judgement.

“As Ijaw brothers, we have always lived in peace, and should continue to do so in the light of the well considered decisions of our courts on the matter”, he added.

It would be recalled that the Rivers State Government has been contesting the error in eleventh edition of the Admin map of Nigeria published by the office of the Surveyor General of the Federation which placed the boundary between Bayelsa and Rivers States at San-Bartholomeo River instead of Santa Barbara River.

The Rivers State Government went to court over the refusal to effect the correction after letters of protest from the State Boundary Commission and the office of the Surveyor General of Rivers State.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2012, that the error should be reverted to status quo and that the revenue accruing from the oil wells be paid to an escrow account until the determination of the boundary.

However, the order of the Supreme Court has not been implemented until Governor took over the reins of governance and decided to fight for the rights of the State.

The Federal High court in Abuja had earlier ruled in favour of Rivers State, that the Soku oil wells belong to Rivers State and so revenue accruing from the wells should be paid to the State.