Bonny/Nembe/Bille Jetty Commissioning: Obumuton-Chiri Kingdom Attacks Mayor Of Port Harcourt

…Says ‘Host Community Is Sekeni-Ama (Obumuton-Chiri), Not Rebisi (Diobu)’

…Decries Marginalization Of Wakirike Section Of Port Harcourt

The commissioning of the Bonny/Nembe/ Bille Jetty on Saturday, January 9,  by Governor Nyesom Wike may have come as a welcome development especially to members of the benefitting communities who have now heaved a sigh of relief with the comfort of shelter and accessing their boats, but to the King, chiefs and people of Obumuton-Chiri Kingdom of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, a statement credited to Hon. Victor Ihunwo while speaking at the event, has sparked off anger in the kingdom.

In a statement jointly signed on behalf of the Amanyanabo of Obumuton-Chiri Kingdom, King Derick Acheseomie by eight chiefs and 20 other stakeholders of the kingdom, on Monday, the aggrieved people of Obumuton-Chiri accused the Port Harcourt Mayor of misrepresenting the identity of the host community, while delivering a welcome speech during the commissioning.

They faulted Hon. Ihunwo’s opening remarks where he reportedly welcomed dignitaries ‘on behalf of the Rebisi Council of Chiefs, leaders, elders and the entire people of Port Harcourt’, describing the statement as spurious, provocative and misplaced.

According to the statement which was made available to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, “the area where this project is sited is within the territory of Wakirike speaking people by the 1913 Hargrove Agreement executed with the colonialists”.

“We condemn the statement in its totality as it is perceived as direct affront to   peace loving people of Wakirike ethnic nationality under whose authority the area falls.

“The commissioned Bonny/Nembe/Bille jetty is situated in Sekeni-Ama Community of Obumuton-Chiri Kingdom, Wakirike-Se and not in Rebisi (Diobu) community or territory.

 There are duly installed and constituted Chiefs, elders and leaders of the bonafide host community on whose behalf the Mayor of Port Harcourt ought to welcome the dignitaries to the occasion”, the statement emphasized.

The Obumuton-Chiri Kingdom drew the attention of the Mayor of Port Harcourt to the fact that in recognition of the host community, Sekeni-Ama, the Rivers State Government accorded the then Chairman of that host community, Mr. Micah Kalio, the privilege to give an opening remark during the flag-off ceremony of Bonny/Nembe/Bille Jetty project on the 5th of October, 2016.

“Therefore, this mischievous statement of the Mayor is not only capable of causing discord between the peace-loving Wakirike people in Port Harcourt and their Rebisi (Diobu) neighbors, but intended to misinform, mislead and distort historical facts”, they noted while advising Hon. Ihunwo to refrain from such acts which, according to them, are capable of jeopardizing the peace and stability of Port Harcourt City Local Government.

While calling on Governor Wike to call the Mayor to order, the people stressed that the act is likely to breach the peace in the State.

They added that the people in Wards 4, 5, 6 and 7 are disappointed over alleged marginalization of Wakirike section of Port Harcourt in his three years as Mayor.

“We hereby warn that our tolerance level has a limit.  We shall not fold our hands and allow any individual to poke his fingers into our eyes.  If this situation persists, we will be compelled to act appropriately. 

Let this be noted for record purpose”, they said, adding that the Wakirike communities voted massively for Governor Wike during the elections, and therefore “expect to be rewarded accordingly”.