Opinion

Task Before ONELGA Caretaker Committee

Published

16 years ago

January 18, 2010

Recently one of the memorable events from the new Government House was the inauguration of a seven-member caretaker committee for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas (ONELGA) of Rivers State.

The committee has a legal practitioner, Barr. Andrew Ugworah as chairman. Other members include Chief G. Aniadu, Mr. Olisah Ubaka, Sunny Obowu, Charles Ogbuji and Gift Obulor. An intelligent guess of the composition of the team would not leave any informed analyst in doubt that the six-geo-political units of the council are adequately represented.

One of the high points of the inauguration was the charge by the State Chief Executive, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi to the new appointees to confront headlong the problem of insecurity in the multi-ethnic local council. In addition to this, the governor warned against corruption which has been the bane of development in local government councils and the country in general.

The executive mandate tallies with the legislative directive during the clearance, to ensure peace and security in the area. Obviously, this brings to memory the crucial circumstances surrounding the politics and development of the local government area since its creation.

With the committee on board, and portfolios assigned to members, ONELGA once again has added a distinguish features uncommon to other local government areas in the state. Onelga widely acknowledged as the land of the black gold, contributes substantially to the economic development of the state, vis-à-vis the country.

A local government richly blessed with abundance of oil and natural gas resources similar to that of the gulf region. This accounts for her hosting of two major multinational corporations namely Total E and P Nigeria Limited and Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC). Beyond this, it is a major contributor to the multimillion dollars liquefied natural gas company in Bonny Island.

Politically, the council remains significant against the backdrop that it is the homeland of incumbent chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief G. U. Ake. But since its creation on 21st September, 1991, it has been a guest of one form of internal political turmoil or the other. However it is assured that no organisation, state or local government is imminence from intra political squabbles especially in this era of greed-dominated politics.

Intra political bickerings in Onelga dates back to the days of the first elected Executive Chairman, Chief Ibe Eresia – Eke. The Egi born astute leader confronted fearlessly the self-acclaimed power brokers and political hawks of the region. The climax was the unceremonious exit of the pioneer chairman. This opened the flood gate of interminable intra political wrangglings. The salient point not taken cognizance, of, is the fact that all these have always left the much desired development of the area as the major casualty.

The Felix Nwabuochi led administration was not spared of this man made scorge. He applied all his conflict resolution skills and they failed.

Eventually his Personal Assistant on Security paid the ultimate price and became the sacrificial lamb. Mr Chris Okey Ochije took over the mantle of leadership of the council, in the 2007 elections, mindful of the usual characteristics of the council. Onelga chairmanship is a lion’s den with power hungry lions, lionesses and cubs burking. Contrary to public expectation of political optimists, Ochije was consumed alongside with the political fifth columnists. The emblem of internal political crisis of Onelga is a bullet which does not discriminate against ethnic group-or geo-political unit. From Egi to Igburu and from there to Egbema, the story is the same. However CTC are usually spared of this fever.

If I may ask, does CTC chairman understand the rules of the game more than their elected counterpart? History will continue to adore Felix Obuah (a.k.a) ‘Go Round’ for his political dexterity and enduring legacies in the area of infrastructure. Not only did he silence the obnoxious political gong on, ONELGA he made them to retire to the citadel of their recesses against their will.

The veil of insecurity identified by the governor was as a product of political bitterness.

History has shown that CTC s know better how to walk the tight rope. This is why the Ugworah led CTC must be ready to fight the hydra-headed monsters of insecurity, under development, unemployment, political bitterness, social instability, youth restiveness, road network, to mention just a few.

Provision of modern infrastructures in the L.G.A is a big challenge. Many roads linking the headquarters and the administrative units are in bad shapes. Many communities have no electricity and portable drinking water. Today, a journey from Egbema to Omoku takes longer time than necessary because of bad road.

There is no gain saying that since the election that brought Chief Ibe Eresia-Eke to power, Onelga has never had a free and fair election. Chairmen are forced down the throats of the impoverished, pauperized and bemused realities against their wishes. This may be the case in the all local councils in Rivers State, confirming the wide speculation that the councils may be an extensions of PDP empires in the country. 2011 general elections is around the corner and the CTC committee will certainly midwife a new elected government.

The biggest achievement of this CTC will be to install a local government chairman truly chosen by the people. This is one way of curbing intra political squabbles in the area. Leaders nay, office holders must shun corruption. This is the biggest impediment to social, economic and political development of any area. Looting of public treasuring should not be synonymous with leadership. A new dawn has emerged in the council with the inauguration of a CTC led by Ugwuorah.

The new CTC must strive to disappoint the political jobbers, crisis entrepreneurs, power drunken politicians and the power scavengers whose business is to fan the ember of intra political bickering. The team must refuse to be teleguided, to be a stooge of political suppression but agent of true and development oriented democracy. It is time to sink political differences, replace party slogan with development maxim, allow party’s prejudice to pave way for peoples progress. Though appointed etc, it is the government of the council for now. Like Abraham Lincolm said: “The essence of government is to do that which ordinarily the people cannot do”. This task is one of such things Onelga is our home, like John Howard Payne said, “be it ever humble, there’s no place like home”. It is time to develop our homeland. I know we have the resources.

Agi is a PG Student of Mass Communication, UNN.

Friday Agi

Opinion

Trans-Kalabari Road: Work In Progress

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”This Dream project is one of the best things that have happened to the people and residents of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas in recent times.”

This is the concluding part of this story featured in our last edition.

Good road network helps farmers to convey their agro-allied products to commercial hubs where buyers and sellers meet periodically to transact business. Road network engineers and motivates people resident in unfriendly geographical terrains, like riverine areas, to own property and shuttle home with ease. Some people will prefer living in their own houses in a more serene and nature-blessed communities to living in the city that is fraught with pollution, and other environmental, social and economic hazards. Prior to the cult epidemic that ravaged parts of Rivers State, the Emohuas, Elemes, Ogonis, and Etches were known for rural dwelling. Most public servants from these areas do their official and private transactions from their villages. For them it was comparatively easier to live in the village and engage in a diversified economic endeavours through farming, fishing or other lucrative business without outrageous charges and embarrassment associated with doing business in Port Harcourt, where land is as scarce as the traditional needle.

That is why the decision to construct the Trans-Kalabari Road by the administration of Dr. Peter Odili was one of the best decisions that administration took. When Dr. Odili vacated office as the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi took over and awarded contracts for continuation of the road project which in my considered view is the felt need of the people of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas. Unfortunately, Rt. Hon. Amaechi’s efforts to drive the project was sabotaged by some contractors some of whom are Kalabari people. The main Trans-Kalabari Road is one project that is dear to the people and residents of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas of Rivers State. This is because through the road commuters can easily access several communities in the three local government areas. For instance, the road when completed will enable access to eight of the ten communities in Degema Local Government Area, namely: Bukuma, Tombia, Bakana, Oguruama, Obuama, Usokun, Degema town and the Degema Consulate. It will also link 15 of the 16 communities in Asari Toru Local Government Area. The communities are: Buguma, the local government headquarters, Ido, Abalama, Tema, Sama, Okpo, Ilelema, Ifoko, Tema, Sangama, Krakrama, Omekwe-Ama, Angulama. The road will also connect 14 of 17 wards in Akuku Toru Local Government Area, and other settlements. It is interesting to note that It is faster, and far more convenient and economical for the catchment Communities on the Trans-Kalabari Road network to go to the State Capital than the East West Road. The people of the three local government areas will prefer to work or do their transactions in Port Harcourt from their respective communities to staying in Port Harcourt where the house rent and the general cost of living is astronomically high.

Consequently, development will seamlessly spread to the 28 out of 34 communities of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas. The only Communities that are not linked by the road project are Oporoama in Asari Toru, the Ke and Bille Communities in Degema Local Government Area and the “Oceania” communities of Abissa, Kula, Soku, Idama, Elem Sangama of Akuku Toru Local Government Area. But because of the economic value of the unlinked Communities to Nigeria, (they produce substantial oil and gas in the area), the Federal, State Governments and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), can extend the road network to those areas just as Bonny is linked to Port Harcourt and the Lagos Mainland Bridge is connecting several towns in Lagos and neighbouring States.Kudos to previous administrations who had constructed the Central Group axis.

However, what is said to be the First Phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road project is actually a linkage of the “Central Group” Communities which consists of Krakrama, Angulama, Omekwe. Ama, Omekwe Tari Ama, Ifoko, Tema, Sangama. It is the peripheral of the Trans-Kalabari Road. The completion of the Main Trans Kalabari project will free Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor areas from congestion. It will motivate residents and people of the three local areas to contribute to the development of their Communities. If the Ogonis, Etches, Emohuas, Oyigbos, Okrikas, Elemes can feel comfortable doing business in Port Harcourt from home, residents and people whose communities are linked to Port Harcourt through the Trans-Kalabari Road will no doubt, do likewise. The vast arable virgin land of the Bukuma people can be open for development and sustainable agricultural ventures by Local, State and Federal Government.

It is necessary to recall that the Bukuma community was host to the Federal Government’s Graduate Farmers’ Scheme and the Rivers State Government moribund School-to-Land Scheme under Governor Fidelis Oyakhilome. Bukuma was the only community in Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas that has the capacity to carry those agricultural programmes. However the lack of road to transport farm produce to Port Harcourt and facilitate the movement of the beneficiaries of the scheme who lived in the community which is several miles away from the farms, hampered the sustainability of the programme. The main Trans-Kalabari Road remains the best gift to the people of Degema, Asari Toru, and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas. Kudos to Sir Siminilayi Fubara.

By: Igbiki Benibo

Opinion

That U.S. Capture of Maduro

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”Strategic convenience does not nullify sovereignty. Political frustration does not authorise military abduction.”

The first part of this story was published in our last edition.

In Africa and the Middle East, regime change—whether by invasion, proxy warfare, or sanctions—has often left behind fractured states, weakened institutions, and prolonged instability. Washington’s motivations in Venezuela are widely understood: vast oil reserves, alliances with U.S. rivals, and symbolic defiance of American influence in the Western Hemisphere. But none of these reasons confer legal or moral legitimacy. Strategic convenience does not nullify sovereignty. Political frustration does not authorise military abduction. If every powerful nation acted on its grievances in this manner, global chaos would inevitably follow. International law provides mechanisms for accountability. Under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), individuals accused of crimes against humanity or other grave offences are subject to investigation and prosecution through judicial processes.

Likewise, extradition treaties, mutual legal assistance agreements, and Interpol mechanisms exist to ensure accountability while respecting due process. These frameworks were designed precisely to prevent unilateral enforcement of “justice” by military force. The most profound consequence of America’s action may not be in Caracas, but in the precedent it sets. If the world accepts that a superpower can unilaterally depose another country’s president, then the foundation of the international system is weakened. Sovereignty becomes conditional—no longer a right, but a privilege tolerated at the discretion of the powerful. Going forward, if another country invades its neighbour, will the United States retain the moral authority to impose sanctions or demand restraint? Some analysts already warn that parallels between Russia’s actions in Ukraine and America’s conduct in Venezuela risk further eroding global norms. Selective adherence to international law breeds cynicism and accelerates the drift toward a world governed by force rather than rules.

Power—military, economic, or political—should serve human progress and collective well-being, not domination and destruction. For African nations, many of which emerged from colonial rule through bitter struggle, this precedent is especially alarming. Sovereignty is not an abstract legal concept; it is a hard-won shield against external domination. Any erosion of that principle anywhere weakens it everywhere. Africa’s painful history of foreign interference makes this lesson especially urgent. For me, the real issue is not whether Nicolás Maduro is a good or bad leader. That judgment belongs, first and foremost, to the Venezuelan people. The larger issue is whether the international system still operates on law—or has quietly reverted to hierarchy. If America insists it is defending global order, it must ask itself a difficult question: can an order survive when its most powerful guardian feels entitled to violate it? Until that question is answered honestly, the capture of a foreign president will remain not a triumph of justice, but a troubling symbol of a world drifting from law toward force.

If the United States felt so strongly about the allegations of terrorism, drug trafficking against Maduro, were there no other lawful options? Judicial accountability, diplomacy, regional mediation, and multilateral pressure may be slow and imperfect, but they reflect respect for international law and sovereign equality. Military seizure is a blunt instrument. It humiliates institutions, radicalizes populations, and hardens resistance. It may remove a leader, but it rarely resolves the underlying crisis. History teaches that military interventions seldom result in stable democratic outcomes. More often, they breed resentment, resistance, and long-term instability. For the sake of global order and the rule of law, the United States should reconsider this path and recommit to diplomacy, legal cooperation, and respect for the sovereign equality of states. Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly described the invasion of Venezuela as “unlawful and unwise,” warning that such actions “do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable.” Her words reflect a growing recognition, even within the United States, that force without legitimacy undermines both moral authority and global stability.

Should what happened in Venezuela serve as a wake-up call for corrupt African leaders who undermine the people’s right to choose their leaders? The answer is yes. The capture of Maduro should alarm African leaders who manipulate elections, weaken institutions, suppress opposition, undermine citizens’ rights, or cling to power at all costs. Venezuela faced widespread criticism over disputed elections and repression long before this episode, and that context shaped how the world reacted. This does not justify foreign military intervention, but it highlights an uncomfortable truth: prolonged democratic decay isolates nations and invites external pressure—from sanctions to diplomatic censure. Global opinion matters, and legitimacy at home strengthens sovereignty abroad. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and several African leaders have rightly condemned the events in Venezuela, invoking the principles of sovereignty and non-interference enshrined in international and regional law.

Beyond condemnation, however, African leaders must look inward. The continent’s future cannot be built on repression, constitutional manipulation, and personal greed. Leadership must reflect the will of the people, not desperation for power. Two days ago, a social commentator on a radio station argued that Trump’s action—though condemnable—demonstrates how far a leader can go for his country’s interest. According to this view, he did not intervene in Venezuela for personal enrichment, but to strengthen his nation. In stark contrast, many African leaders plunder their own countries. They siphon public resources, impose crushing taxes and harmful policies, and leave their citizens poorer—all for selfish gain. That contradiction is the deeper lesson Africa must confront.True sovereignty is protected not only by international law, but by accountable leadership at home.

By: Calista Ezeaku

Opinion

Kudos Gov Fubara

Published

2 weeks ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Please permit me to use this medium to appreciate our able governor, Siminalayi Fubara for the inauguration of the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road in Ahoada-East Local Government Area. This inauguration marks a significant milestone in the history of our communities and deserves commendation. We, the people of Ozochi, are particularly happy because this project has brought long-awaited relief after years of isolation and hardship.

The expression of our traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Prince Ike Ehie, JP, during the inauguration captured the joy of our people. He said, “our isolation is over.” That reflects the profound impact of this road on daily life, economic activities, and social integration of the people of Ozochi and other neighbouring communities. The road will no doubt ease transportation, improve access to markets and healthcare, and strengthen links between Ahoada, Omoku, and other parts of Rivers State.

The people of Ahoada, Omoku, and indeed Rivers State as a whole are grateful to our dear governor for this laudable achievement and wish him many more successful years in office. We pray that God endows him with more wisdom and strength to continue to pilot the affairs of the state for the benefit of all. As citizens, we should rally behind the governor and support his development agenda. Our politicians and stakeholders should embrace peace and cooperation, as no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of conflict. Sustainable development in the state can only thrive where peace prevails.

Samuel Ebiye