Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has expressed readiness to work with his Bayelsa State counterpart, Governor Douye Diri for a peaceful settlement of issues concerning property jointly owned by both states that are pending in the courts.
Fubara revealed his desire for mutual cooperation with Diri when he paid a New Year’s visit to the governor at his country home in Sampou in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Wednesday.
Governor Fubara went in the company of some top leaders of Rivers State.
He said his visit with some leaders of the state is to underscore the importance of the unification meeting that should open a new chapter between the two states.
In a statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Rivers Governor, Boniface Onyedi, Fubara said the coalition is to end any administrative boundary issues between both states.
He said, “The purpose of my presence today is not a mere visit, but a reunification meeting. Our visit is to let our brother know that we want to work together for a common purpose and the development of both States.”
“We have a lot of things in Rivers State that are jointly owned by both states. I know we have not had this kind of meeting before, but we desire that from this particular moment, whatever the issues are, let us look for a way to settle them amicably so that we can forge ahead.”
“I have always said that we cannot attain development in the face of crisis. We can not help one another in a situation of anarchy. Peace is the major ingredient for development.”
Fubara also commended the Bayelsa State Governor and the people of the state for showing solidarity with his administration amidst the political crisis bedevilling Rivers State.
He again acknowledged the role played by President Bola Tinubu in intervening in the Rivers political crisis.
On his part, Governor Diri thanked Fubara for the visit geared towards achieving mutually beneficial working arrangements with both states.
Diri recalled the ongoing legal issues at the Nigerian Supreme Court over the disputed Soku oil wells and the Bayelsa House that was demolished in Rivers State while pledging willingness to ensure that they work together as brothers.
Gov Fubara visits Diri to end property issues between Rivers and Bayelsa
