The Omuma Council of Chiefs in Rivers State has called on the state government to urgently resolve the lingering boundary dispute between Rivers and Abia States to avert a looming crisis over oil well allocations and community tensions.
Speaking at an interactive session organised by the Rivers State Government to address peace and development issues, His Royal Highness, Eze Monday I. Ojiegbe, who spoke on behalf of the Omuma traditional rulers, lamented that Omuma Local Government Area, despite being oil-producing, has been excluded from oil derivation benefits.
He attributed this to the wrongful allocation of some oil wells to Abia State and urged for an immediate boundary demarcation to prevent future conflicts. Echoing the concerns, the Sole Administrator of Omuma LGA, Mr. Manager Ikechi Nwala, highlighted other pressing issues plaguing the area.
These include rampant land grabbing, politically motivated arrests of Omuma indigenes, and the alleged complicity of a serving Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in aiding oil bunkering activities. He called for the DPO’s immediate redeployment to restore confidence in law enforcement.
Mr. Nwala also drew attention to broader developmental needs, such as the rehabilitation of the Omuma General Hospital, the creation of youth employment and skills acquisition programs, and the establishment of more police posts to strengthen security.
In response, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, assured stakeholders that the concerns raised would be taken seriously.
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He confirmed that investigations into the allegations against the DPO would be conducted and promised necessary action. “The Rivers State Government will review the boundary dispute with Abia State to ensure fair resource allocation,” Adepoju stated.
He also announced that more security personnel would be deployed to Omuma to combat illegal bunkering and address land encroachments. He urged local leaders to convene regular town hall meetings with security agencies, traditional rulers, and youth groups to foster peace and accountability.
Furthermore, he encouraged the identification of non-functional but impactful projects in need of government revival. The state government also pledged to prioritise the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure in healthcare and education, as part of its broader efforts to enhance development in Omuma LGA.
