From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has sued for calm over moves by the federal goverment to create new local government councils in the country.
The people of Kolo recently embarked on protest over the alleged relocation of a proposed local government headquarter from their community to Emeyal.
Speaking during a meeting with representatives of Emeyal and Kolo communities on Wednesday in Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Diri explained that the notice from the federal government for the creation of new local government areas was received late, leaving the state government with very short time to make the decision.
He said upon receipt of the information, he alerted the House of Assembly to quickly come up with the proposed councils.
The governor emphasised that councils were yet to be created and that nobody knows how the ongoing process would end.
He further stated that historically, no civilian administration had been able to create local governments.
The state’s helmsman called for calm, saying Kolo was still headquarters of a rural development authority.
He expressed disappointment over the protest, saying those aggrieved in any situation should register their grievances legally and through official means.
Governor Diri also urged Bayelsans to be wary of those who introduce politics into everything and create divisions because of their personal interest, saying such people do not mean well for the state.
He equally emphasised the need to place development of the state above historical arguments, insisting that the attempt to create new councils was in the interest of the state.
“I heard about the protest. For your information, nobody has created any local government. These issues are everywhere and not only in your place.
“Let us be development-oriented more than what our forefathers have done. It is true we do not want to lose our history, but if we have to adjust, then we should. Protest is not the first recourse to settle issues.
“It was an emergency that I asked the Speaker and members of the assembly to handle it. It was hurriedly packaged and I like to appeal to you that protests should be the last resort.
“We do not want constituency 3 in Ogbia to be at loggerheads. If there are issues, pursue it through the normal and legal process, and not beat the drum of war.
“God has a reason for putting us together in one place. First and foremost, we are Bayelsa and ijaw people. For all of us from constituency 3, it is not as if local governments have been created and we all kmow it is hard for a civilian government to create councils. My advice to the Kolo group is that the deed is already done. Follow it up legally.
“Let the youths in Bayelsa know that it is not everything that requires protest when you can amicably resolve the matter. It is giving the state a bad name and image.
“No matter the misunderstanding, we are still one and the same. Let us try and tolerate one another and not be manipulated by those with political ambition.”
Earlier, the Ogbia Constituency 3 representative and Chief Whip of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Gabriel Ogbara, said legislators from the area consulted widely within the limited time before a decision was reached on the choice of headquarter for the proposed local government area and called for understanding from those who feel aggrieved.
Also speaking, King W.D Amakiri, the Obenobhan of Emeyal, stated that historically, Emeyal was the right community to host the headquarter.
In his remarks, High Chief Solomon Agimaye expressed concern that the interest of the people of Kolo was not protected in the proposal for the new council and appealed to the state government to correct what he called the “gang-up against Kolo.”
