By Jane Okafor, Abuja
ABUJA: The newly sworn-in Sole Administrator for Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok– Ete Ibas (retd.), has vowed to maintain law and order in the oil rich Niger Delta State.
Ibas made the promise while speaking with State House reporters after he was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday just as the Federal Government blamed the embattled suspended Governor, Siminalayi Funara for the renewed destruction of oil pipelines by suspected militants.
“We know the circumstances that led to why we are here, and Mr President made it clear in his broadcast.
“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” he said.
Meanwhile, the FG through the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation(AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has held Fubara responsible for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.
The FG also accused him of encouraging militants to vandalise oil pipelines in part of Rivers State.
Fagbemi said the governor not only failed to stop the vandals, but he subtly prodded them on to engage in sabotagging that critical national assets.
“There was what I would call telegraphing of the militants by the governor.
“He initially suggested that he would beckon on them to let them know when it was time to act.
“Even if we assume that was just rhetoric, did he come out to disown them when they took action? The answer is no.
“And barely a week after, we saw the vandalisation of oil pipelines,” he said.
The AGF was apparently referring to Fubara’s earlier comments at the inauguration of Government Staff House Quarters on March 3.
The governor had said: “People should know that because no matter how we have been fooled in this state, it has gotten to a point where this state has decided to take their destiny in their hands.
“In as much as I don’t subscribe to violence, when the time comes for us to take a decision, I will lead the cause for that decision.
“Let me say it again, I am not scared of anything. The worst that will happen is for me to leave the office. It is not that I am leaving the earth.
“Is it going to stop me from existing? So, I am not bothered about that. But the right thing must be done and said when the opportunity is given to us.
“Let me thank everyone, especially our youths, be strong, don’t be perturbed. I assure you that at the right time, you will get instructions.”
Fagbemi harped on the importance of oil infrastructure to the economy, warning that anyone involved in its destruction is not just an enemy of Rivers, but of the country.
He defended the emergency declaration, saying it was necessary to prevent a total collapse of governance in the oil-rich state.
He noted that the President had explored all diplomatic efforts and exhausted same before taking the extraordinary step of protecting lives and critical infrastructure.
“I think the President has acted timeously. He has given an opportunity to all the parties involved to make amends. Before then, he assembled them, tried to mediate,” Fagbemi said.
