By Mike Ekureku
The people of Nembe-Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Sunday warmly received Governor Douye Diri, when he made a surprise visit to the area, the first since he assumed office.
Nembe was the scene of a vicious shooting incident on November 13, 2019 when Senator Diri and his Peoples Democratic Party’s supporters visited to campaign for the November 16, 2019 governorship election.
A report by the judicial panel of enquiry set up by the state government on the incident revealed that scores of persons were reportedly missing and several others sustained serious injuries as a result of the attack.
Governor Diri in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, however expressed delight over the return of peace to Nembe.
Diri, who was received by the Council of Chiefs and excited community folks, thanked them for the warm reception despite the short notice of the visit.
He said the ancient kingdom of Nembe should be the light and peace of Bayelsa.
The governor urged the Nembe leaders and people to ensure that the prevailing peace and reconciliation was sustained, stressing that development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security.
While commending the leaders for the steps taken so far, he implored them to do more, assuring that the government would support efforts to deepen the peace in the area.
He said: “As chairman of the chiefs council noted, peace has returned to Nembe. Truly, love has returned, and for me there should not have been any other project more important than peace in Nembe.
“Nembe should be the light of Bayelsa. It should be the peace and love of Bayelsa. For us as a government, we are ready to work with the leaders of Nembe to ensure peace because it is only when there is peace that there can be development.”
Earlier, chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Chief Oriango Oruwari, thanked the governor for the visit and appreciated him for the role he played to ensure that peace returned to the community.
Chief Oruwari also expressed appreciation to the governor for appointing sons and daughters of Nembe into positions of trust and appealed to him to do more for Nembe.
