23rd September, 2012
Archbishop, Province of Niger Delta and Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, Most Reverend Ignatius C. O. Kattey has appealed to Governor Chibuike Amaechi,of Rivers State and his cousin, former governor Celestine Omehia, to end their feud, after the Supreme Court sacked the latter and installed Amaechi as the lawfully elected governor in 2007.
Kattey made the appeal for reconciliation during a Thanksgiving Service held in honour of the new National President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Barister Okechukwu Wali, SAN, held at the Diocese of Niger Delta North, Akpor Archdeaconry, Church of Pentecost, Rumualogu in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
He charged them to see themselves as brothers and forgive one another, and reconcile before God.
“Today, I charge two of you, Amaechi and Omehia to see yourselves as brothers, forgive one another and reconcile before God”, he said.
During his sermon, Reverend Kattey also urged Governor Amaechi to ensure that all on-going projects in the state are completed before the expiration of his tenure, including the on-going Monorail project.
Reverend Kattey also reminded Governor Amaechi to tackle the incessant killings of Christians in the North, urging him to intervene as Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum, and bring lasting peace between Christians and Muslims in the country.
On his part, Governor Amaechi said he has no choice but to reconcile with Omehia.
“I have no problem reconciling with Celestine Omehia, I became Governor by the Grace of God, and I have been told by the church priests that worship with me to embrace reconciliation, to embrace everyone. The church priests also told me that, what you get by prayer, you sustain by prayer”, he said.
The State Chief Executive also congratulated Barrister Okechukwu Wali on his election as President of the Nigeria Bar Association, and assured him of the support of the Rivers State Government.
Governor Amaechi also said that his administration will complete the Monorail project before the end of 2014, stating that the state government has completed all internal roads in Port Harcourt Township, and has earmarked about N7b (seven billion naira) to maintain all roads in D/line, Diobu and Borokiri axis of Port Harcourt.
“I have one interest, and that is the interest of the Rivers people, they have to be patient with us, and we assure them of putting things right”, he said.
Amaechi also expressed the commitment of his administration to set up an Economic Development Agency by 2013 that would give loans to Rivers State indigenes, to invest and create employment opportunities for the unemployed in the state.
On Education, Governor Amaechi said, the recruitment of about 13,000 employees has increased the wage bill of the state to N9b (Nine billion Naira), stating that his administration has built 500 primary schools, while five post primary schools have also been completed.
“I have also told the commissioner of Education to stop building 14 classroom blocks, because it will not be enough to accommodate the pupils, we need enough space, she should start building 25 to 30 classroom blocks, we have acquired 3 plots of land at Ada George road to accommodate all those who will come from Rumuolumeni”, Amaechi added.
Amaechi further said, as Governor of the state, he has made the office of the Governor very ordinary to see things for himself and associate with people.
“As Governor of the state, I have made the office of the Governor ordinary, to see things for myself and associate with people”, Amaechi said.
It is however not yet clear if the intervention of the Arch-Bishop at reconciling the Amaechi and Omehia will be sustained beyond the church because all attempts to reconcile both in past had been futile.