Following the discovery of what can be likened to the largest illegal oil mining site in Akpa-Chara at Egbalor Community in Ebubu clan of Eleme Local Government Area, The Paramount Ruler of Ebubu HRH Emere Godwin Yorgba Chinwi (Emere Eta-Egbalor and Oneh-Eh Eta Ebubu XIV) has called on the Rivers State Government to takeover the large expanse of land occupied by the bunkers for developmental purpose.
Emere Godwin Chinwi who led Ebubu Council of Chiefs on a courtesy visit to Eleme Local Government Council expressed shock at the discovery made by the Executive Chairman Chief Hon Obarilormate Ollor and his team during the enforcement of war against illegal oil mining and bunkering activities as directed by the State Governor.
According to Emere Godwin “we want to thank you for the discovery. Personally I was shocked when I got the information.
“That land belongs to Egbalor community but due to its distance from the community, we don’t often farm there and this bunkers have taken over that place.
“As a community, we are giving you the mandate to go after the operators of those illegal mining site, arrest and prosecute them. We are also calling on the Executive Governor of Rivers State to take up that land and use it for any development project”.
Commending the LGA Chairman for his swift approach to the issues of governance, Emere Godwin Chinwi further proposed that the state Government consider building an ultramodern international market at trailer park, following it’s demolition and the return of roadside traders and deviants whose activities pose greater security risk to commuters accessing the community at night.
Chief Chinwi hailed the Chairman for prioritizing Ebubu in the appointment of principal officers and stakeholders to drive the vision of his administration and stressed on some of the felt-needs of the community which include electricity/power supply and bad road network.
In his response, the LGA Chairman, Obarilormate Ollor thanked Emere Godwin Chinwi and his council for the visit and assured them of his administration’s support.
Ollor reiterated his administration’s commitments to fullfil all his campaign promises to the people of Ebubu before the end of his administration.
He expressed concerns on the rising issue of Youth leadership and stressed on the need to harmonize all interested parties to avert any crisis.
Chief Ollor urged the traditional institution to remain united, firm and resolute in offering leadership to their subjects and by extension demonstrate strong support for his administration as the custodian of culture and tradition.
Akpa-Chara, a rich expanse of land running into several hectares with a body of water and palm trees has been illegally occupied by oil miners and bunkers whose activities pose tremendous health hazard to the people of Eleme and Rivers State.
