Taiwo Popoola
Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State and his Rivers State counterpart, Siminalaye Fubara have reiterated their commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence between the two states amid the controversies over the ownership of Soku Oil Wells and Bayelsa State’s landed properties in Port Harcourt.
The governors made this commitment when Governor Diri led a delegation of Bayelsa State officials on a Christmas visit to Governor Fubara at the Government House, Port Harcourt, reciprocating an earlier visit by the Rivers State Governor to Yenagoa.
Governor Diri, during the meeting, expressed gratitude for Governor Fubara’s peaceful approach to resolving the long-standing issues.
He commended his counterpart for working with him to reach a truce over the contentious Soku Oil Wells and the takeover of Bayelsa State properties by the past administration, which had led to a Supreme Court case by his administration.
Governor Fubara stressed the historical ties between the two states, which were once united as Rivers State, emphasizing the importance of cooperation.
He reaffirmed his administration’s efforts to resolve the disputes amicably in the best interest of both states.
Fubara also emphasized the need to strengthen the BRACE Commission—a regional body comprising Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Edo States—to promote development and regional integration.
