Eze Worgu Broker Peace Between Rumuchorlu and Ibaa Community

The Paramount ruler of Ruchorlu Community in Rumuokwurusi Town, Eze Engr. B. A. Worgu, Nyechigaeli Rumuchorlu, Esara Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, penultimate week brokered peace between his community and Eze Dr. Sampson Ovua of Ibaa town in Emohua Local government area, over a discrepancy that would have led to bloodbath between the duo.

Eze Worgu said, Eze Ovua, had embarked on fencing of a property claimed to have been acquired many years ago on the left side of Mini-Chida, a development which did not augur well with his people hence they threatened to demolish the fence. He said save for his timely intervention and majority of the youths, the planned demolition, if carried out may have led to bloodbath.

“Recently in August 2009, we saw what we had not seen before at Mini-Chida. The water banks had shrunk from hundreds of meters to mere 20ft on both sides. The water have been caged into a narrow culvert gullies. Gates were installed intimidatingly toward the narrow culvert where waters pass through, Julius Berger built the culvert under Odili’s administration, thereby removing the steel bridge which I built single handedly to enable pedestrians pass through.

With the new activities of chocking the Mini-Chida, petitions were sent to ministry of Environment including one from me as Eze Chorlu VII. This approach was adapted in order to avert blood shed. Even the main road was filled with trips of sand, chippings and heavy stones which were used to concretize the base of the fence.

We controlled ourselves hoping that government would intervene. On the early hours of 5th September, 2009, environmental sanitation day, government officials came and did their clean up exercise. Some of the people guarding the fence were arrested and not kidnapped as was alleged. Rumuchorlu people heaved a sign of relief.

A few days later, I led Rumuchorlu community to do what government did on the right side which some of our Ibaa friends watched. Rumuchorlu youths would have embarked on demolition of fences on the left side of Mini-Chida which was the place where our Ibaa friends had interest but for my intervention and majority of our youths.

Suffice it to say that at 2030hrs of 5th September, 2009 some hefty looking men came to my house. My grand children quickly ran into my bedroom where I had already retired to say “grandpa, many people are looking for you”. I told them to take the lantern to them while I hurriedly changed into normal dress. One of their main reasons for coming to my house at that time of the day was to seek my cooperation so that they could resume the fence work. I told them that it was a matter for Rumuchrlu people and Rivers State government which pulled down the fence. Honestly speaking, I slept with one eye closed that night as I refused to call the youths or the police to guard my house till morning.

The following morning I saw a man who introduced himself as Chief Ovua of Ibaa. He was very friendly and we joked over what made each of us look so fresh and calm. I told him it was not money but peace of mind. He pleaded that he wants peace at all cost and that we resolve the matter as peacefully as possible.

A few days later before our council meeting on Sunday 13th September, the CDC Chairman, one Mr. Sunday Amadi came and said to my audience that he was suing for peace in a manner that I and those around believed he was talking from his heart.

However, we observed that Chief Ovua had not kept to the status quo as he continued replacing the wall which the government pulled down in a house he was building. By the time we went there on Thursday 17th September, 2009, the building had reached roofing level and a new fence had been built and extended.

Ibaa people through the CDC Chairman pleaded that they be allowed to utilize their remaining land which they claimed was bought in the 90s. With the power conferred on me as Eze Chorlu VII, Nyechigaeli Rumuchrlu in Rumukwurusi. Esara Kingdom of Obio/Akpor local government area, I have the pleasure in ruling as follows: That Rumuchorlu people who eventually fought the colonial masters to a stand still in the 18th century are peace loving. That we respect the rule of law. That we pulled down other fences not belonging to Chief Ovua to complement government’s effort including churches which did not respect our environment and we had no apologies for it. That no single family in Rumuchorlu owns any part of Mini-Chida. We are all stakeholders in the preservation of Rivers and its environs. That further attempts in developing the place beyond where it is now would be resisted by Rumuchorlu and the entire Rumuokwurusi as a whole and the two entrance be closed forthwith. That the intimidating gates be removed forthwith. No development beyond those entrances or door would be allowed anymore. That Rumuchorlu people would stand against the government’s interest in this matter which but for the wise way Rumuchorlu leadership handled it, would have result to bloodshed”

Eze Chorlu VII added that Rumuchorlu people gave Ibaa Community Development Chairman and his group a video tape covering the complementary pushing down of fences along the right side of Mini-Chida stream while Ibaa people in return gave them fifteen thousand naira as fines against Chief Ovua of Ibaa even as they did not include eight tubers of yam and assorted drinks.