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States Creation Movements, Not Much In South-East – Eze Wogu
Chairman of Aba State Creation Movement, His Royal majesty, Eze Ariwodo Wogu, says groups agitating for new states in the South-East geo-political zone were not unwieldy compared to that of other zones.
The royal father contended that the South East should have had more state creation movements since the zone has the least number of states in the country, pointing out that those that have more states were even agitating for more states than the South East.
At present, about five state creation movements are pressing for creation of additional states in the South East. They are pushing for the creation of Aba State (from Abia State), Njaba State (from Imo State), Orashi State, Ekwiti State(from all the South East States), Ugwaku state (From Imo and Abia) and Adada State (from Enugu State).
Disagreeing with views that state creation movements in the South East were many, Eze Wogu said: “We don’t even have as many groups as other zones.”
The monarch spoke with newsmen at Government House where the Aba State Creation Movement had come to present their request before the Conference of Speakers of the Houses of Assembly in Nigeria. The Speakers were in Umuahia for their last quarterly meeting for this year. It was hosted by the Abia State House of Assembly.
“You understand from the first point that the South East is short -changed. We have five states against some that have six or seven and if those who have seven already are agitating for three, four or more states, why should the Igbo man with five be talking of one state? How many state movements do we have in the South East? We should be demanding for a maximum of four more states. Add four to five, that is nine. The South East is agitating for as many as four states,” the royal father said, adding that the various movements in the zone were interacting.
With regard to Aba State, Eze Wogu said the movement has made tremendous progress and has received encouraging response from groups and individuals.
“Already, the Committee for the Creation of Aba State has embarked on a visit to the various State Houses of Assembly and as I am talking to you, we have covered 13 Houses of Assembly, addressed and presented our matter to them. In fact, I wish you had followed us to these places. The response of all the 13 Houses of Assembly is very very positive. Almost every state House of Assembly we have visited supported the creation of Aba State for many reasons,” he said
He said the request has also been formally presented to the Senate Committee on Creation of States, adding that they were in Umuahia to seek the support of the speakers and to request some of the Houses of Assembly yet to grant the committee audience to do so.
Explaining the need for Aba State, Eze Wogu said “Why Aba State is deserved and is necessary, from the first point is that we believe that Aba state is one state that must be created to harmonise and bring the number of states in the South East at par with other zones.”
“We, the Abians, also believe that creation of Aba State will enhance the economy of Abians in terms of infrastructure, health, employment, anything. Aba is bigger that some states in Nigeria. Most importantly, the creation of Aba State will increase the take home of the Igbo from the national cake. Generally, we believe the creation of Aba state will be of immense benefit,” he added.
The TIDE gathered that the agitation for creation of Aba State dates back to 1915 when the request was presented to the British Colonial Government. It was represented to the Coats with Commission in 1954 and to both the Senate and House of Representatives between 1980 and 1983. The National Asssembly then were said to have given their approval for a referendum for the Creation of Aba State. However, the conduct of the referendum was yet to be carried out when the military struck and overthrew the government of President Shehu Shagari.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the ongoing construction of the brand new 13.52-kilometre Ngo-Atlantic-Oyorokoto Road as a bold and visionary effort by his administration to open up the coastal region for economic growth and harness the full potential of the state’s blue economy.
The Governor made this remark during an inspection visit to the project site in Andoni Local Government Area. The road, being constructed by Monier Construction Company (MCC), cuts through challenging coastal terrain and leads to a newly identified beachfront facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Governor Fubara explained that while the original plan was to construct a road leading to Oyorokoto Town and its popular beach, his administration decided to expand the project to create an entirely new route that would open access to another pristine beachfront.
“We are doing another inspection today. This particular one is a virgin road, 13.52 kilometres of a new pathway to the blue economy,” Governor Fubara stated.
“Initially, we were constructing a road to Oyorokoto Beach, one of the finest tourist centres in this area. But as we progressed, we discovered another beach directly facing the Atlantic Ocean. It became clear that we shouldn’t limit development to just one site. We want to harness this new beach front as part of our broader plan to develop the blue economy.”
The Governor emphasised that the project, once completed, will not only improve access to coastal communities but also stimulate tourism and economic activities, boosting revenue for Rivers State.
Describing the area’s difficult terrain as challenging, he commended the contractor for its dedication, and expressed confidence that the road would be completed and commissioned by March next year.
“You can see for yourself, it’s a brand-new road in a very difficult terrain, just like the one we saw yesterday. But I strongly believe we will overcome it. From what we’ve seen today, the contractor, MCC, is doing their best, and by next year, hopefully by March, we’ll have the cause to commission this project and give God all the glory,” the Governor affirmed.
Governor Fubara also visited Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area to assess the progress of work on the Epellema axis of the ongoing 5.2km Kalaibiama-Epellema road project featuring a 450-meter bridge.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded on the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road project, revealing that about 75 percent of the critical piling work has been completed.
Governor Fubara made this known while addressing journalists after an on-the-spot inspection of the 12.5-kilometre road project, which will connect the state capital to several Kalabari communities across the sea.
The Governor rode on a boat from a jetty at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area through the rivers and creeks on the project route during the inspection.
The project was awarded to Lubrik Construction Company Limited, on May 15, 2024, with an initial 32-month completion timeline.
The Governor said the visit was aimed at verifying reports from the Ministry of Works regarding the project’s advancement. He commended the contractors for their dedication, and described the progress as “a true reflection of hard work and commitment to excellence.”
“The first phase of the project takes us to Bakana, and features four major river-crossing bridges and nearly five deck-on-pile structures. The terrain is difficult, and the engineering work required is complex. But to the glory of God, I can confirm that the reports I’ve been receiving are accurate. Almost 75% of the piling job, which is the most critical part of the project, has been achieved,” Governor Fubara said.
He emphasised that the Trans-Kalabari Road is one of the most technically demanding infrastructure projects in the state due to its challenging marine terrain but reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deliver it on schedule.
Governor Fubara highlighted the strategic importance of the road in connecting the Kalabari Kingdom to Port Harcourt, and stimulating economic growth across riverine communities.
“This is a key project that will turn around the lives of the Kalabari people immediately it is concluded. By the grace of God, in the next six months, if we return here for inspection, we might be driving across the bridge,” he said.
Governor Fubara assured Rivers people that his administration remains focused on delivering transformative infrastructure projects that will improve lives and bring lasting development to rural communities.
“We have made a promise to our people to embark on projects that will change lives and bring development, and this is a testament to that commitment,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says that the impact of flooding and erosion on the inhabitants of Rivers State, especially those living in coastal communities, are of great concerns to the government.
Governor Fubara lamented the consequences of flood on both human and biotic life, which sometimes lead to loss of life, property, and degradation of the environment.
The Governor made the remark in Port Harcourt during the launch of a book titled, ‘Coastal Zone Flooding And Erosion in Developing Communities, Principles, Cases and Strategies,” written by Emeritus Prof. Wiston Bell-Gam.
According to the Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, his administration, would continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies to combat flooding.
In his words: “The Rivers State Government will continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies, such as construction of seawalls and breakers, canals and channels, restoring coastal ecology and ecosystem for coastal resilience and where necessary, the relocation of communities on the coastline.
“These issues are currently receiving the much needed attention and intervention by the recent approval of the construction of shoreline protection along the coastlines of more than five communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs respectively.”
“It is important that as stakeholders in the protection and preservation of marine environment, we all act and advocate for mitigation strategies such as reduction in emission of Green House Gasses that causes climate change and rise in sea levels. Let us promote the use of clean energy and against fossil fuel.
Governor Fubara further cautioned residents to desist from building on waterways.
“We also need to encourage our people to stop developing buildings on and along natural water courses, indiscriminate sea mining and dredging activities on our coastline without consideration for mangroves and swamps,” he stressed.
He appreciated the author for his advanced contributions to the body of knowledge in both Rivers State and globally.
Also speaking, a former Military Governor of the old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Ditte-Spiff, who was Royal Father at the Event, stated that the book was timely to enable stakeholders manage the challenges of global warming.
“Global warming is real. If it’s not addressed globally, a time will come coastal areas will find themselves under water. The coastline of Nigeria is shocking with many mangroves gone,” he noted.
The Reviewer of the Book, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Ondo State, Prof Temi Ologunorisa, explained that the 14-chapter book is timeous as it fills literary gaps between desire and available knowledge on coastal flood and erosion in developing communities.,
“A major beauty of the book that sets it apart is the detailed consideration of flood and erosion control from around the world,” he stated, adding that the book is based on detailed field investigation.