By Oludamisi Ojo.
Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has said that the quick engagements between the Ondo State Government with the Governments of Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States doused the escalation of attacks on Ilaje Fishermen living in the two Niger Delta States of the Country.
The Deputy Governor stated this during the visit of the Ilaje Fishermen Association of Nigeria led by their President, ‘Ambassador Benedict Orioye Gbayisemore to his office in Akure.
Aiyedatiwa said ” A lot of people might not know what we are doing behind the scenes”, Aiyedatiwa said.
“I’m conversant and i am aware that the attacks on our people in Bayelsa State, Mr. Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN actually intervened because if not, it would have been so escalating beyond what we say” .
“I am very aware that Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu called the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Donye Diri and I also made some moves by talking to the speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abraham Ngobere who happens to come from the affected areas of the crisis… we’ve been able to engage them, and the government of Bayelsa State is actually looking into the matter to see how there can be lasting peace and some kind of compensation for our people” , he disclosed.
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Aiyedatiwa equally spoke on the displacements of Ondo State indigenes in Akwa Ibiom State.
“When the crisis started, I actually made a call to the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibiom State , His Excellency Moses Ekpo, who grew up in Yoruba land and his response to the crisis also helped a great deal” .
“And if not for his own intervention as well, it would have been worse” , he disclosed.
“And since then, myself and my counterpart in Akwa Ibiom State, have been engaging ourselves, relief materials were given, but it is not enough and we are going to do more” , he further said.
The Deputy Governor equally explained that, moves were on for the committee set up by Ondo State Governor to visit the affected people in Akwa Ibiom State.
“Very soon, we will visit Akwa Ibiom State, I can assure you of that” , Aiyedatiwa said.
Also, the Deputy Governor informed his visitors of the State robust programmes for Agriculture and Agribusiness to support farmers in the State..
His words, “I want to tell you that with what we are doing right now, the State is looking into the direction of fishery business as part of the entire value chain to grow the economy of the state and provide employment” .
“One of our developmental partners, IFAD included fishery in their programmes and very soon, they will be visiting some communities in Ilaje Local Government… from time to time, they will be interfacing with you as some kind of facilities in terms of financial supports will be given” , he disclosed.
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He therefore enjoined them to come together as cooperative body for education, awareness on the available opportunities in the fishery value chain sector.
On Sea pirates, the Deputy Governor disclosed that, the State would be partnering with NIMASA for a robust safety and security package to protect fishermen and those who are into Maritime business.
Earlier in his address, the President of the Fishermen Association, Gbayisemore appealed for government assistance in their business and for government intervention in the incessant attacks on their members in some Niger Delta States of the Country.
