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The Bayelsa State government has formally approved the recognition of Ayakiri community in Gbarain clan of Yenagoa Local Government Area as one of the communities hosting the operations of SPDC in the state.
According to the approval dated 16th of December 2020, with reference number MLG/ADM/T66, and announced by the state ministry of Local government and Chieftaincy and Community Development, jointly signed by the commissioner, Hon. Thompson Amule, and permanent secretary, Mrs Ebiere Adeh, Ayakiri was separated from Ogboloma community, formerly known as Igbenbiri compound, and will henceforth be recognized and given the recognition of a host community to Shell Development Company of Nigeria, with its abundance in oil and gas resources for exploration and exploitation.
Confirming the development during a peace and thanksgiving celebration, the joyful elders and youths of the community, led by the former chief medical director of the Bayelsa State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Benjamin Tabowei, said the approval will bring more peace and development to the area.
Also speaking, the chairman of the organising committee of the Ayakiri peace and Thanksgiving day, Chief Bruce Buba, said though the community is traditionally made up of Ogboloma community in Gbarain kingdom during the slave trade era, and has had historical controversy over the issue of status, which was further heightened by a comment that Ogboloma only had four compounds excluding Igbenbiri.
According to him, the comment was the last straw that broke the camel’s back and which led them to approach government for recognition and registration. They were duly recognized and the process to gazette the approval within the first quarter of the new year is ongoing.
The acting paramount ruler, Chief Emmanuel Onunu, in a chat with journalists called for unity among the indigenes of the newly approved community and its neighbours, praying that God will help the four month old community to achieve its desired goals and development.
