Pauline Onyibe 
The people of Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have resolved the chieftaincy crisis tearing the community apart in recent times.
Sunday Telegraph reports that the development occurred shortly after the State Command of the Nigerian Police Force released six community leaders arrested in connection with an alleged violence and threats to oil and gas production in the area.
ln a communique was released at the community’s open square on July 29, 2024, by the Amananaowei, Ben Eseimokumo Okosughe, the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Mr Tari Daniel, Youth President, Mr Experience Pere and a 12-man Independent mediation committee headed by Hon. Godbless Akedewei Diriwari, Chairman and Chief Peter Akpasi as Secretary respectively was made available to newsmen at the weekend.
According to the communique, it was resolved that the paramount ruler (Amananaowei) shall delegate powers to the CDC, Youth and women to nominate members to interface with organs of government and companies operating within the Ogboinbiri community territories.
While reading the communique at the end of the meeting, Hon. Diriwari, a national officer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on behalf of the community apologized to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Deputy Governor, SSG, Southern Ijaw Council Chairman and other stakeholders the community may have offended while the crises lasted, as well as thanked Chief David Lyon, Hon Preye Oseke and Pius Wariyai for their financial and moral support in resolving the dispute.
In the communique, the community also agreed that sharing of work (Opportunities) chances must not be done in secrecy, and that at every point in time, the CDC chairman, youth president and the women leader should be allowed to select members of their bodies to constitute a community delegation.
The communique also stated that the Youth President shall be in charge of youth affairs and constitute a local taskforce to maintain local security within the community and report to the CDC Chairman.
The communique read in parts: “that the CDC chairman shall be in charge of the day to day internal affairs of the community.
The Amananaowei shall focus on community land matters and capital offences and report same to the government of Bayelsa State.”
“The Amananawei shall delegate powers to the CDC and other executive arms from time to time to deal with companies, government and other organizations”
“At every point in time the CDC Chairman, youth president, women leader be allowed to select members of their bodies to constitute community delegation.”
“CDC Chairman should be allowed to run internal community affairs and report to the Amananawei when necessary and the Youth president in collaboration with his executives shall appoint: and take charge of Ogboinbiri taskforce and report to the CDC chairman.”
The high point of the peace accord was the planned review of the Ogboinbiri Community constitution by a 10 man committee to be appointed in two weeks time.
It was resolved that one person each will represent a compound to take proposal from members of the community badding that after 6 months, the constitution shall be ammended in the general assembly of the community.
Hon. Diriwari further advised youths not to allow themselves to be used by mischief makers. other members of the mediation committee who signed the resolution include Mr. Emmanuel Frank Orianzi, Mr. Peter Akpasi, Ebi Eseduo, Peaceman Okia, High Chief Joseph Mienbo, Pere Vorporal, Victor Ebikeme, Azazi Daukuro, Pius Wariyai.and Isaac Okoso.
