Oil production in jeopardy if Arson and violence continues _ Fubara

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara warned that further violence could jeopardize oil production in the state. This statement followed the arson committed by thugs on Monday, which destroyed four local government Secretariat.

On the same day, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, accused Governor Fubara of instigating the political violence in the state. Fubara, during the swearing-in of five new commissioners, expressed his commitment to peace, urging citizens not to retaliate with violence and emphasizing the importance of increasing oil production to address the state’s challenges.

He stated that unchecked oil theft would severely impact Nigeria’s economy, leading to insufficient funds for critical issues. Fubara vowed to collaborate with the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the recent attacks and hold those responsible accountable. He noted prior intelligence about planned disruptions aimed at elected officials, asserting that such actions would not go unpunished.

The governor also announced the establishment of a seven-man judicial commission to investigate the violence, headed by Justice I.R. Minakiri. In response, Wike criticized the commission, suggesting it was unnecessary since Fubara already blamed political opponents for the unrest. He called for a focus on law enforcement instead.

In a related note, Methodist Bishop Dr. Sunday Onuoha cautioned that the escalating crisis could become a national emergency and urged intervention from elder statesmen to restore order and accountability in the state.