October 08, (THEWILL) — Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has given AITEO Exploration and Production Company Limited a one-month ultimatum to remit all funds due to Bassambiri community in Nembe Local Government Area as part of ongoing peace efforts in the area.
Diri issued the directive on Wednesday when the Opu Nembe (Bassambiri) Peace Steering Committee presented its report on the lingering crisis in the community.
The report was submitted by the committee’s chairman, Vice Admiral Victor Ombu (retd), during the 173rd State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Yenagoa.
Commending the panel for its work, Diri praised Admiral Ombu for accepting to lead the peace-building process, noting that his name would remain etched in the community’s history for his role in restoring stability.
The governor expressed concern that Bassambiri had been plagued by decades-long conflict among indigenes he described as “brothers,” stressing that the time had come to end the cycle of violence and embrace peace for the sake of development.
“For Bassambiri to remain in dispute for over three decades is unthinkable,” he said. “We cannot continue to play politics with the lives of our people. It is time to sheathe the sword and embrace peace, development, and progress.
“From the onset of my administration, I have preached peace and reconciliation. Again, I call on Bassambiri to show light where there is darkness. Peace is priceless, and we cannot sacrifice unity on the altar of politics.”
Governor Diri reiterated his earlier directive for AITEO to remit all entitlements to the Peace Steering Committee, emphasizing that compliance was crucial to sustaining the reconciliation process.
“I call on AITEO to support the ongoing peace initiative. Every kobo due to the community must be remitted to the Peace Steering Committee in line with my directive issued four months ago. Within the next one month, AITEO should comply — I do not want to hear that they are still defaulting,” he warned.
The governor assured that the recommendations of the committee, which was inaugurated in September 2024, would be implemented. He also directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to conduct an assessment for the construction of a link road in the community and submit a report within two weeks.
Diri, who again cautioned appointees from Bayelsa West Senatorial District against actions capable of undermining his administration’s peace efforts, reaffirmed that the government remained committed to ensuring lasting peace and unity across the state
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
