Soku Oil Wells: Kalabaris Pledge Support For Amaechi

For the first time since the call by the Rivers State governor to get the ceded Soku oil wells back, the Kalabari’s have now pledged to support the agitation.
Amayanabo of Abonnema, Chief Gbobo Disrael Bob-Manuel made the pledge yesterday at Abonnema Town when Governor Amaechi visited the community to unveil projects executed by the Akuku-Toru Local Government Council and member representing the area in the House of Assembly, Barrister Benebo Anabraba.
The Abonnema traditional ruler said it would be folly on the side of any Kalabari man or woman to stand aloof, insisting that time has come for all Kalabari sons to fight and get what belongs to them.
He said, “ the Rivers State governor has come in to assist us in this fight. We do know and I assure you that this fight to retain these oil wells within the Kalabari territory is not dead and will continue as much as God gives us the strength”.
King Bob-Manuel added, “ We want to assure you that we are fully with you in the quest to get back the Soku Oil well back to Kalabari land “.
The governor after unveling several projects embarked upon by the local council and legislator which included the Governor Amaechi Ultra-Modern Market, and Owukori Memorial Hall addressed the people and urged them to vote against the Peoples Demcratic Party(PDP) to get their oil well back.
He also spoke on the decision to back guber candidates who are not Ikwerre, saying equity demands that the governorship be given to other parts of the state.
In his words, “ I like to say to you that my name is Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi I cannot fight for your right ,it is your responsibility to fight for your right. If you sit down there and they take your oil wells in the name that it is my brother God will bless you. In politics there is no brother, no father. There was a man called Alvan Ikoku he ran an election against his son and he lost, so it if it was about blood will he have contested against his son? The son ran against his father because it was interest. So for the Kalabari man or woman your interest is your oil well.”
Amaechi while recalling an earlier plea which had not been heeded to by the Federal Government over the ceded Soku oil well reiterated that, “ I have told the Preident that if he returns the oil wells to Kalabari people and I will support you for election but he has not replied me”.
He insisted that the only way to get oil wells back was to vote out the PDP stressing that it was the right of the Kalabari people to get their resources back.
While responding to requests made by the king, Amaechi assured that the contractor handling the Abonnema/Obonoma bridge will mobilised back to complete the project and that sandfilling will be continued to provide land for the people.
Earlier chaiman of the council Theodore Goergewill thanked the State Government for the numerous projects sited in the area, and noted that the council embarked on the new ultra- modern market project to enhance commerce since the ancient town does not have a central market for over 100 years of its existence.

L-R: Dr Noble Abe, Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Prof Barineme Fakae (middle) and Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam at the 2014 Easter Choral Night in Port Harcourt, last Monday.