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By Godwin Chukwumaechi, Port Harcourt
Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas has assumed office, while Rivers citizens that he would not to be partisan but would ensure adherence to rule of law.
His address to the state came Thursday, after a meeting with heads of security agencies in the state.
He called for the cooperation of all segments of the state including politicians, elders, women and youth groups adding that he would seek engagements that would facilitate quick, peaceful and acceptable resolution of the political impasse.
He said; “As a son of Niger Delta, I’m one of you and I recognize the weight of this moment, the expectations of the people and the challenges that lie ahead.
“The uneasy calm that pervades the state is palpable and I feel the weight of families, young and old, businesses that made both huge and little investments in Rivers State, uncertain of what the future holds.”
Ibas noted that the success of the emergency period will depend on collective effort of everyone.
A transcript of his address to the state reads this:
“For decades I have dedicated my life to the service of this nation. First as a member of our armed forces, where I had the privilege and honour of serving as the 20th indigenous Chief of Naval Staff and more recently as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Ghana.
“After what I believed to be my final retirement from public service, duty has once again called. I have answered not from personal ambition but out of an avowed commitment to the peace, stability and prosperity of Nigeria as a whole and more specifically, Rivers State.
“My appointment comes at a difficult and consequential moment in history. The political impasse of nearly 2 years in Rivers State has paralysed governance, desecrated democratic institutions, threatened security and undermined economic and social fabrics of the state.
“It has deepened divisions among the people and cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future. These are realities we cannot afford to ignore.
“As son of Niger Delta, I’m one of you and I recognize the weight of this moment, the expectations of the people and the challenges that lie ahead. The uneasy calm that pervades the state is palpable and I feel the weight of families, young and old, businesses that made both huge and little investments in Rivers State, uncertain of what the future holds.
“Mr. President’s proactive and decisive action to declare a state of emergency and my subsequent appointment is primarily to ensure stability of livelihoods for citizens and residents, restore peace, security and stability for economic activities to continue to thrive and avert any disruptions to the way of life of the people of Rivers State.
“My mandate is clear, to restore law and order, stabilize the policy and the create that necessary conditions for the full restoration of democratic institutions and representation.
“This is not a task for one man alone. Success will depend on the collective efforts of all Rivers people, elders, political leaders, traditional rulers, faith leaders, youths, women, the media and civil society.
“I do not come as a partisan actor nor as a competitor in the struggles that have brought us to this moment, I come as a servant of the state, entrusted with the solemn duty of restoring peace and order so that Rivers state can move forward once again and reclaim its place as the oil and gas capital of Nigeria and I dare say, Africa.
“My role here is to ensure that the lives and livelihoods of our people are not held hostage by crisis and instability. Governance is not a solitary endeavour, true stability requires the collective will of the people. I extend my hands to every son and daughter of Rivers State, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity or creed. I urge you to remain law abiding, peaceful and optimistic. Let us set aside our differences and work together to rebuild trust, restore stability and protect the future of our children.
“The challenges before us depend on unity, not division, on cooperation, not discord, on forward thinking, not backward grievances. The commitment to unity, cooperation and dialogue must be the fulcrum of all engagement, going forward.
“Destruction of national infrastructure in the name of agitation is something we in the Niger Delta have since put behind us.
“Through collective engagements our people have become more aware of the collateral damage that comes with it. Not only does it deprive good enough resources to provide necessary critical infrastructure and services, the damage to the environment has left vast areas of the Niger Delta extensively devastated, affecting the health and livelihoods of our people. We must resist the temptation to return to those ugly days. Dialogue and honest engagement have proven time and time again as veritable tools for resolving differences and conflicts of any kind.
“Let me be clear, under my leadership, civil liberty and fundamental human rights will be respected and protected. The rule of law will remain sacrosanct, however those who seek to sabotage the social and economic stability of Rivers State and national infrastructure and institutions within the state or who attempt to disrupt the peace for selfish and destructive ends will find no tolerance for their actions. There will be no room for lawlessness, no space for violence and no patience for actions that threaten our collective well being. We will not act arbitrarily but neither will we hesitate to enforce the law when necessary. Let no one be in doubt, we will uphold justice and fairness but we will also ensure that civil order prevails.
“I have just concluded my inaugural state security council meeting and taken additional briefs from heads of security agencies in the state, I have noted the various reports, initiatives and concerns some which I have given directives on specific actions. I have specifically charged them to remain neutral, respect the rights of citizens and do all within their power to maintain law and order while collectively working to de-escalate tensions where they come in contact with such.
“In the coming days, we will move with deliberate speed to articulate a pragmatic road map for the next six months to ensure that every government bureaucracy is properly functioning.
“Agencies providing services to citizens and residents are doing and engaging stakeholders holders as mandated by Mr President. Our objectives will be clear; to restore normalcy, to rebuild public trust and to lay the ground work for a more stronger and democractically governed Rivers state.
“I asked for your understanding and cooperation. Above all I ask for your faith in the possibility of a better future, one built on peace, stability and progress.
“I want to thank the president, most sincerely for the confidence reposed in me and for trusting me with this delicate national assignment.
“Worthy of thanks are the leadership and members of the tenth National Assembly who have graciously approved Mr. President’s State of Emergency proclamation for Rivers State. The approval gives full effect to my appointment as the administrator of Rivers State.
“I will draw on my training, knowledge, experience and dedication to ensure that the essence of this historic decision is achieved. I will have to work closely with the National Assembly under the guidance of Mr. President.
“Consequently, I will continue to count on their cooperation and support throughout this assignment.”
