ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State government has called for peaceful coexistence and harmony among the communities in the state.
Governor Douye Diri made the call on Wednesday when he received a report of the committee set up by the state government on the Peremabiri community crisis.
He urged people of the state to set aside their differences and live in peace to engender development.
Diri, who acknowledged that disagreements were a part of co-existence, noted that such should be peacefully settled in the spirit of brotherhood.
While stating that meaningful development would not take place in the absence of peace, he called for an end to conflicts that lead to destruction of lives and property in the state.
He decried constant conflicts experienced in some communities in the state, saying that through his administration’s intervention, most of the brewing crises were averted.
He described Peremabiri as a richly endowed community in both human and natural resources but regretted that such gifts had been negatively utilised as it had been embroiled in crises for about four decades.
While thanking the committee led by the member representing Bayelsa Central in the Senate, Senator Moses Cleopas, Diri assured the people that his government would take an unbiased look into the report with a view to implementing it.
The governor, who expressed optimism that his administration would bring a lasting peace to the community, called on all to support its initiative to end the conflicts in the area.
In his remarks, Senator Cleopas stated that findings of the committee revealed the absence of a generally accepted constitution, frequent change of leadership, divide and rule tactics by an oil major were some of the causes of conflict in the community.
To forestall future conflicts, the committee recommended the enactment of a new constitution, signing of a peace accord by major actors, signing of a new Global Memorandum of Understanding by by an oil company, among others.
The peace and security committee on Peremabiri was set up in January 2021 following attacks on the community by unidentified gunmen.