Rivers Group sue for peace and development

Rivers Group sue for peace and development. 

‘Utono Obolo’, a non-political pressure group in Rivers has sued for peace in Andoni local area council of the State as it inaugurates committees for peace and progress.

Patron of the group, HRH, Iraron Ede Obolo 2, Paramount ruler of Egwede kingdom during the inauguration on Monday in Port Harcourt charged the various committees on patriotism.

Calling for collective support towards restoring peace to the volatile area, the traditional ruler expressed optimism that the three committees would serve in uniting the people.

The three committees are; Peace/boundary- headed by Prof. Charity Okujagu, this committees is expected to ensure a peaceful resolution of an overstretched boundary dispute involving three communities in Andoni (Asarama, Egendem and Unyeada).

Obolo Culture and Tourism Committee- chaired by Mr Michael Ebirien-Agana, this committee is expected to drive unity through cultural and tourism potentials of the area while the technical Committee on the Immortalisation of Prof. N.C Ejituwu headed by Mr Charles Asuk was geared towards reward for patriotism for the renowned historian.

The traditional ruler however, lamented that though the Obolo Indigenous people were blessed with population spread across various states, the people had yet to tackle the challenge of infrastructure deficit bedevilng their respective settlements.

“Over the years, the area had continually suffered disintegration occasioned by insecurity, boundary related squabbles and other social and leadership crises.
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“Suffice me to say that unlike the Obolo ethnic group, other ethnic groups and sojoins along the coastal areas had became more organised and thus, unanimously pursued and attracted development to their respective domains,” he added.

Reassuring on the group’s determination in pursuit for peace and development, Dr Romsan Dressman, Administrative head of the group revealed that a voluntary trust fund has so far been initiated to help provide basic infrastructural needs for locals in the area.

“Utono Obolo currently has in its budget the following ongoing projects as first phase of its people oriented projects; Ngo Jetty rehabilitation, Akradi Water Support project, Egendem standard goalpost rehabilitation and Support for the displaced people in Ama Zaaba.

“These projects were earmarked for the benefit of communities in Andoni and Eastern Obolo local area councils of Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states respectively.

Responding in separate reactions, the committee heads thanked the group for the opportunity to serve and pledged commitments towards assigned duties.