March 24, (THEWILL) – The Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara, has dismissed claims of attacks on oil and gas facilities in the State.
Earlier, the Executive Director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, reported explosion at the Soku gas facility, operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited. He said its youth volunteers network reported loud sound accompanied with fireballs at the gas facilitybin Soku Community in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
While leaders of Soku Community Development Committee (CDC), Soku Kingdom, urged the public to disregard the reports, Renaissance Africa Energy, the company operating the gas plant denied any explosion at its facility in Soku oil.
Reacting to the false reports on Monday, Governor Fubara condemned the fake news.
In a statement issued by Nelson Chukwudi, his Chief Press Secretary, Fubara also distanced himself from militant groups allegedly threatening the federal government over the ongoing political crisis in the state.
“Already, the communities where these incidents are alleged to have occurred have reacted, dismissing any claims of explosions on oil and gas facilities in their domains and reassuring that all critical government assets within their areas are safe, secure and efficiently functioning
“Virtually all the fake videos have been linked to alleged militant groups in the state, with the creators of such content trying very hard to connect them to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the State or Niger Delta, to undertake any action inimical to the peace of the people or safety and security of oil and gas facilities and by extension, the economy of the country”, the statement read.
Reaffirming his dedication to maintaining peace, Fubara stressed that governance and development could only thrive in a stable environment.
“The Governor had repeatedly made it clear at every public event that the peace of the State is paramount to him, and that he would pay any price to secure and sustain peace in the State.
“Governor Fubara vehemently warns purveyors of violence and economic sabotage to steer clear of the state, and avoid any attempt to use his name or capitalise on the present political crisis to foment trouble in the State.
“It is also important to warn bloggers and social media hirelings to stop, forthwith, their campaign to create an atmosphere of tension, chaos and anarchy in the State, as their fake reports and posts in the last couple of days have triggered enough wrong decisions that would not help the State move forward.
“Security agencies should take note of these fake videos designed to misinform the people, and further paint the State in bad light, and take every necessary step to contain them and bring those behind them to book.”
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