By SAM JONES
YENAGOA (Sundiata Post) – Bayelsa State Government has moved to avert a recurrence of inter-communal crisis between Nembe City and Opu-Nembe communities in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.
The state government ordered security agencies to tighten security in and around the bridge linking both communities to forestall any further cases of cross-community breach of the peace in the area.
Deputy governor of the state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, issued the directive in Government House, Yenagoa in a meeting with the Chiefs’ Council of both communities on Monday.
There had been fraticidal clashes between both communities in the past with loss of lives and property, one of which resulted in the destruction of the Unity Bridge that has been reconstructed by the administration of Governor Douye Diri.
It is believed that the recent crisis was due to alleged acts of criminality by youths of both communities necessitating a warning by Ewhrudjakpo that they should refrain from acts capable of plunging the sister communities into a major conflict.
Ewhrudjakpo also warned that government would deal decisively with anyone found fomenting trouble in the area pointing out that the state Government constructed the Unity Bridge to foster peaceful coexistence between the two kingdoms.
He stressed that government would not allow any person or group of persons to jeopardize the noble objective of building the bridge seen as a unifying project through acts of criminality and brigandage.
The deputy governor assured that the state government would take every necessary step to stem the recurrent cases of unprovoked attacks affecting the communities.
Harping on the need for both communities to liaise and work closely with the security agencies on ground there, he particularly called on the chiefs from Bassambiri to restrain their youths from further encroachment into the neighbouring community.
Ewhrudjakpo also used the opportunity to commend the leadership of both kingdoms for cooperating with security agencies to ensure peace during the general elections and urged the people to maintain kind and civilized gesture at all times.
In their separate remarks, the chairman of the Nembe Chiefs’ Council, Chief Erewari-Igbeta, and the secretary of the Opu-Nembe Chiefs’ Council, Chief Robert Johnbull Efere, thanked government for taking proactive steps to end pockets of attacks in the area.
The two chiefs who condemned the recent attacks in very strong terms, however, appealed to government and the security agencies to checkmate any criminal elements using the Nembe Unity bridge as access point to carry out their attacks.
The president of Nembe City Youth Congress, Mr. Nelson Ebimie Kuroghafa and his Opu-Nembe counterpart, Mr. Moses Ayerite, who was represented by the vice chairman, Mr. Nimibofa Collins Degi, made significant submissions at the meeting.