Olom-Abalama (Oguede) Community is currently protesting the inauguration of a new Management Committee for the Coconut Estate waterfront and sand dump without consulting with the leadership of the Community. 

The Chief and Head of Jack Manilla Pepple Chieftaincy House, Se-Alabo Iganima Jack Manilla Pepple told Kristina Reports on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at the Coconut Estate waterfront that the House was not consulted by the Local Government Council before inaugurating the Committee.

Irked by this development, members of the Olom Abalama (Oguede) Community comprising the men, women, youths and children have embarked on a sit-out, drumming, singing, and dancing with canopies mounted at the Coconut Estate waterfront adjacent to the sand dump.

Represented by the Secretary of the Jack Manilla Pepple Chieftaincy House, Warisenibo Clement Pepple, the traditional ruler stated that “the news came to us as a shock. When the Se-Alabo called my attention asking if I’m aware of such and I said, no, I’m not aware. He said I should send a message and call other council elders that there is need for us to have a meeting”.

“The Local Government did not consult with the community and that is why you see these things happening now because she is our Chairman and we love her.”

“We believe that if there is any issue, she is supposed to at least, call the leadership of the community and they trash it out over there instead of setting up another committee to say they are taken over the community waterfront.”

“Also, the committee that came they also told us that they are not here to make problems, that they are going back to also reach the Chairman. So, we are also making efforts to also see the Chairman because she is our Chairman.”

“We want to know what prompted her decision of forming a management committee outside the other committee that has been existing. So, maybe if she tells us then from that point then we can continue discussion.

He noted that there has never been any form of crisis at the waterfront or sand dump given that the Marine Revenue Committee of the Bonny LG Council has been working in harmony with the Community’s Jetty Committee without any hitch.

“There is no crisis and all of us are just dancing and singing because this is our community. This is where our forefathers left for us and there is no problem.

“The elders resolved that we have not had any issues as far as this waterfront is concerned and the (LG) Council has its committee that has been operating here which is the Marine Revenue Committee. They have been operating alongside the community here.

“So, nobody has stopped anybody from doing whatever thing they are doing. So, we believe that the presence of the government has been here. So, by the information we gathered in that meeting that the council has formed Coconut Estate Management Committee and that becomes worrisome to the Chief and elders and the entire community.”

When asked how long the sit out was going to last, Se-Alabo jack Manilla Pepple said “as long as possible; even if it’s one month, we are prepared. It’s our home. We have no other place to go to. It’s our home. So, we can stay as long as possible”.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Coconut Estate Jetty Committee, Ibifuro Pepple informed that some individuals, namely, Tekena Jumbo, who he said introduced himself as Chairman of the new Committee, Idawarifagha Longjohn, Ibikari Pepple and Adonye Pepple, approached him that they were now in charge of activities there.

He said he quickly informed the leadership of his chieftaincy house about the development which, he said prompted the sit out, drumming and dancing by members of the Oguede Community, expressing worry that the development could portend crisis for the community.

In a swift reaction to the development, Press Secretary to the Bonny LGA Chairman, Boma Waribor confirmed the inauguration of a new Management Committee to oversee activities around the Coconut Estate waterfront and sand dump, stressing that it was envisaged to forestall any form of economic sabotage.

“I can confirm that there is a new management committee to superintend over activities around the Coconut Estate waterfront including the sand dump. This is to ensure that government does not suffer economic sabotage.”

“From time to time, government reviews the operational dynamics in and around the LGA which involves management committees like these.”

“If people have concerns with regards to decisions, policies and activities of the government, the wise thing to do is to reach out to the government. This administration runs an open door policy.