RIVERS SPEAKER ALLEGES ENCROACHMENT ON STATE TERRITORY BY BAYELSA

By George Onah
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly has raised alarm over alleged incessant and continuous 'illegal encroachment of some communities and parts of Rivers State by the Bayelsa State government.'

Harry said in spite of the steps taken to check the illegality, nothing had happened in the positive direction, adding that the problem had gotten to an alarming situation and must be checked before it escalates to an irredeemable point.

Meeting with representatives, chiefs and elders of Akuku Toru Council in Port Harcourt, Harry said the government of Bayelsa State had largely drifted into Rivers State 'far beyond the original boundary of that state when it was created in 1996.

'However, the Rivers government is studying the situation with a view to taking appropriate action,' he said.

Leader of the delegation Alabo E.  Awoyesuku-Jack said the situation got on the nerves of the people when Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State recently visited Soku, an oil bearing community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

'The visit of Timipre Sylva to Soku was illegal and portends danger because when Bayelsa State was carved out of Rivers State, no single Kalabari fishing settlement was ceded to that state,' he added.