- By Halimah Olamide
The stability and security of major oil installations in Rivers state may have prompted President Bola Tinubu to move to restore peace among the warring political groups in Rivers state, a source has told the NPO Reports.
The president had convened a meeting of major stakeholders in the affairs of the South-South state at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Prominent among those at the meeting were the Governor of Rivers state, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his predecessor and Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, Leader of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People MOSOP, Mr. Ledum Mitee, National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari.
Others at the meeting include Senator Lee Maeba and among the delegation were Senators Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Chief Victor Giadom, Chief Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, as well as Senators Bennett Birabi Barry. Mpigi and Joe Poroma, he Minister of Environment, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abba, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, and the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh.
Though the agenda of the meeting was not made public, a source told the NPO Reports Tuesday evening that the main reason for the meeting was to seek resolutions of all pending political differences leading to instability in the state especially because Rivers state is central and crucial to the revenue generation of the entire country.
The source said it is believed that the Tinubu administration seeking increased oil productions to shore up revenue is worried about the possibility of the continued face off between supporters of the two leading political figures – Fuabara and Wike – affecting the stability of the state consequently affecting the generation of the resources from the state.
Wike and Fubara have been at each others’ throats shortly after Fubara became the governor over alleged dictations to the Governor by Wike. The situation had boiled over several times with violence visited on many parts of the state.
The removal of the local government chairmen appointed by and loyal to Wike had caused mayhem last year with many government infrastructure being destroyed.
The source in the presidency said that the federal government is mostly worried about the NNPC infrastructure and any others especially after the commencement of operations by the PortHarcourt Refinery towards the end of last year.
It was gathered that since the refinery started operations, the President had sought to meet major stakeholders with a view to handing down to them the final word to maintain the peace.
“Rivers State holds significant NNPC assets, both onshore and offshore. The revenue generated from that region is substantial for the NNNPC business operations and those of its JV partners, making it a critical state for overall revenue generation.
“As such, it is in the best interest that peace and stability prevail there to ensure the continued success and growth of business.”
The source buttressed his assertion with the presence of the NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Kyari at the meeting stressing that the presence of Kyari, Minister of the Environment and the leaders of MOSOP are enough indications that the search for peace is more predicated on business and economic interest rather than politics.
The source added, “Regarding the presence of the GCEO at the meeting with PBAT and Rivers stakeholders, it could likely be tied to discussions on fostering stability and addressing any concerns that might impact operations in the region. Ensuring alignment with key stakeholders is essential for maintaining a conducive business environment, especially given the importance of Rivers State to NNPC operations. You know the NNPC is not involved in politics.”