A lawmaker in Rivers State, Abinye Pepple says peaceful coexistence was a key precipitating factor for development to thrive and for major Investment inflows to be sustained in the state.

Pepple’s position is coming on the heels of the landmark project delivery being embarked upon by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike across the State and the berthing of the Nigeria LNG Train 7 project in Bonny LGA, which is touted to accommodate over 50,000 employees at its zenith.

Abinye Pepple, who represents Bonny Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, came out with this recently when he hosted the leaders of the Bonny Youth Federation (BYF) and Finima Youths Congress (FYC) to a reconciliatory meeting to address issues related to the mayhem that almost disrupted a peaceful protest by Finima Community on Thursday, June 10, 2021 in Bonny.

Youths suspected to have come from Bonny were said to have engaged their counterparts from Finima in a violent attack that resulted in the destruction of business places, burning of several vehicles and injuring of about nine persons from Finima.

In the wake of the incident, the second term lawmaker, swiftly moved to facilitate a meeting between Emmanuel Finecountry and Charles Brown, Leader of BYF and Chairman of FYC, respectively, where after exhaustive deliberations, both leaders resolved to persuade their youths to embrace peace.  

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In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity, Nelson Jumbo titled “NO DEVELOPMENT THRIVES IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF RANCOUR SAYS HON. ABINYE”, Abinye Pepple, who is also House Committee Chairman on Power, sued for peace, reconciliation and end to discords amongst youths and communities in Bonny LGA.

He called on the youths and people of Bonny LGA “to close ranks and prioritize peace in the interest of all and for the development of the people despite whatever supposed misgivings against one another.

Pepple outrightly condemned the unfortunate clash that ensued, following the protest by Finima Community, and the concomitant ripple effects and rifts, noting that his intervention was for the sake of peace and security, without which there can be no significant development.

Recall that conflict arose amongst various groups, when on the 10th of June, 2021, members of the Finima community embarked on a protest at the entrance of the NLNG Industrial Area in Bonny LGA.

In their separate remarks, the Leader of the Bonny Youth Federation (BYF), Emmanuel Finecountry, and Chairman of the Finima Youths Congress (FYC), Charles Brown appreciated the efforts of the parliamentarian and resolved to work together in peace as has been the case from time immemorial, stating that as brothers, peace is priceless.