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Resettle Okrikans Before Waterfronts Demolition –Amiesimaka
A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, has said that government plans to modernise and develop the waterfronts around Port Harcourt metropolis is a step in the right direction but cautioned that the people of Okrika who inhabit some of the waterfronts should be resettled before any such exercise was embarked upon.
Chief Amiesimaka Owolo who spoke to The Tide in an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt on Monday noted that the need to resettle the Okrika people before any modernization of development of the waterfronts where they inhabit became imperative because it was only fair to do so in view of the historical antecedents of the people.
“There are historic imperatives concerning the waterfronts that make it only fair, only fair that before such exercise is undertaken, that is before the waterfronts are developed and modernized, and bearing in mind the consequences of initiating such development and modernization, which any reasonable man should support, for especially the Okrika people that regard that place as home, should be resettled”.
Explaining what he meant by resettling the people of Okrika, who inhabit some of the waterfronts, Chief Amiesimaka emphasised that prior to any such initiation or modernized plan, the people should be resettled.
“There should be no demolition before resettlement, but rather resettlement before demolition”, saying that he was confident that the state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was well disposed to giving the suggestion the consideration it deserved.
He observed that government could do this by creating land through reclamation and sandfilling process to resettle the Okrika people that would be affected by the plan to modernize the waterfronts.
According to him, “if the Okrika people are resettled, I do not think they have any issue with our dear governor. The only issue is the issue of resettling them first. It is not just a question of buying their houses, no. If the governor in his magnanimity wants to resettle Okrika people and also pay for their houses, am I the person to say no”? he queried.
Chief Amiesimaka said that if the governor did that, everybody would be happy and applaud him, but noted that what was important to Okrika people in the issue, was resettlement.
“They want a place they can call home if they must leave the waterfronts. That is the issue”, he averred, adding that he was very hopeful that it could be done.
Chief Amiesimaka used the opportunity to appeal to the governor to leave the avenue for dialogue open, that people go to court only as pre-emptive measures for fear of the unknown, adding that going to court was the most civilised thing to do if you think, rightly or wrongly that your right had been infringed upon.
The Okrika chief observed that he held the governor in high esteem and cited the renaming of the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt after him as a show of regard which the governor has for him.
He also said that the people of Okrika had no problem with the governor, noting that the governor had done Okrika proud by appointing their illustrious sons and daughters including the Health Commissioner, Dr Sampson Parker, The Education Commissioner, Ms Alice Nemi, the Sports and the Information and Communications Commissioners, Mr Boma Iyaye and Mrs Ibim Seminatari, respectively into positions of trust.
Besides, Chief Amiesimaka said that the spread of development projects in all parts of the state including Okrika was a pointer to the fact that the governor has a large heart for the people of Okrika, and called for support.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said the 33.5-kilometre Elele–Umudioga–Egbeda–Ubimini–Ikiri–Omoku dual carriageway is nearing completion and will be ready for inauguration by early May.
Speaking after inspecting the project last Wednesday, the governor disclosed that the N80.8 billion road project, currently at about 90 per cent completion, is on track for delivery before the end of April.
The project, which links Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas, was awarded to Craneburg Construction Company with a 24-month completion timeline.
Fubara expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, describing the road as a landmark achievement of his administration.
He noted that beyond infrastructure, the project symbolises progress and purposeful governance.
Highlighting its economic and security value, the governor said the road serves as a vital link to Omoku, a major gas hub, and would significantly enhance business activities in the area.
He recalled that the corridor was previously notorious for kidnapping and armed robbery but said the ongoing development had transformed the security outlook.
According to him, improved accessibility will enable security agencies to respond swiftly to emergencies, effectively curbing criminal activities that once plagued the route.
Fubara commended the contractor for adhering to the project timeline, expressing confidence that the road will soon be completed and opened to the public.
Recall that the governor had, during the flag-off ceremony in May 2024, disclosed that the project is funded from the State’s internally generated revenue savings.
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
