– Pledges infrastructure revival
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In the face of rising insecurity and allegations of official complicity in oil theft, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), has vowed to take decisive action to protect lives and property in Omuma Local Government Area.
Speaking through the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, during a high-stakes town hall meeting in Eberi, headquarters of Omuma LGA, Ibas stressed that “security of lives and property remains the top priority of this administration.”
The meeting, which drew traditional rulers, political leaders, youth and women groups, and members of the National Youth Service Corps, was convened to address escalating security threats and developmental concerns in the area.
The Sole Administrator of Omuma LGA, Mr. Manager Ikechi Nwala, raised alarming allegations against a serving Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Chima Uzoma, accusing him of aiding oil thieves operating in the region.
“There is clear evidence of the DPO’s collusion with criminal elements involved in illegal oil bunkering,” Nwala said, adding that the activities are being facilitated by intruders from neighboring Abia State.
Nwala called for the immediate redeployment of the DPO, the establishment of more police posts, and swift intervention to curb politically motivated arrests and rampant land grabbing affecting Omuma indigenes.
In response, CP Adepoju assured the community that the allegations would not be swept under the rug. “The matter will be thoroughly investigated, and any officer found wanting will face the full weight of the law,” he declared.
The Police Commissioner also emphasized the need for collaboration, urging the Omuma LGA administration to host regular town hall meetings with security agencies and stakeholders. “Security is not the job of the police alone. Everyone has a role to play,” he said.
Echoing community frustrations, His Royal Highness Eze Monday I. Ojiegbe, speaking on behalf of the Omuma Council of Chiefs, demanded urgent resolution of boundary disputes between Rivers and Abia States.
“Omuma is an oil-producing area, yet we are sidelined from oil derivation benefits. Some oil wells that rightfully belong to us have been wrongly allocated to Abia. This must be corrected to prevent future conflict.”
Youth and women representatives also voiced concerns over unemployment, lack of skill acquisition programs, and the poor state of healthcare in the area. A recent inspection of the Omuma General Hospital revealed gaps in infrastructure and staffing.
CP Adepoju acknowledged the concerns and assured residents of immediate government intervention. “More security personnel will be deployed to Omuma, and critical infrastructure in health and education will be rehabilitated,” he said.
He also disclosed that the state government will reopen talks on the boundary dispute with Abia to ensure fair resource allocation and lasting peace.
The Sole Administrator urged residents to remain vigilant, protect public facilities, and promptly report suspicious activities to law enforcement.
“This administration is committed to addressing these challenges head-on. But we need your partnership to succeed,” he concluded.
The town hall ended with renewed commitments from all sides to tackle insecurity, rebuild trust in local governance, and chart a more inclusive developmental course for Omuma.
