Bayelsa: Federal Commissioner Tasks Govt On Clearing, Desilting Of Epie Creek

As Epie Kingdom Celebrate Annual Festival

A Federal Commissioner in the Revenue mobilization, allocation and fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Barrister Alfred Egba has tasked the Bayelsa state government on clearing and desilting of the Epie Creek in Yenagoa, capital of the state.

Egba handed down the task yesterday in Okutukutu Community of Yenagoa Council area of the state during the commemoration of the year 2022 edition of the ‘Obunem Epie annual new yam festival’.

Egba, represnted by one time Governorship aspirant in the state, Mr Morris Gabriel Maxwell, lamented the lack of political will by government to get the creek rid-off silt and other features causing blockages on the creek, stating that as a result it has partly impeded the economic mainstay of the Epie-Atissa Communities.

He noted that the traditional occupation of the Epie-Atissa kingdoms, especially the women is farming and fishing,hence to boost the local economy of the adjoining Communities, a robust and wholistic clearing and desilting of the creek is required.

Our correspondent gathered that the revenue mobilization, allocation and fiscal Commission’s Commissioner, Honourable Barrister Alfred Egba once served in the Bayelsa state House of Assembly between 2007–2015 under whose tenure reports say milestone achievements were recorded on both Constituency projects and other infrastructural projects within his Yenagoa Constituency one, including efforts at desilting the now blocked Epie creek.

Egba who also commended the Epie Kingdom for preserving the rich cultural heritage of the kingdom noted that with concerted efforts and adequate repacking as well as branding, the annual ‘Obunem new yam festival’ could become a tourist delight for not only the Epie people, but for the entire state, hence he restated that it was high time the government started providing adequate funding for the cultural fiesta.

Egba said: “I want to call on the Bayelsa state government to as a matter of urgency and of economic importance commence the dredging, clearing and complete desilting of the Epie Creek.

“The major occupation of the Epie-Atissa kingdoms is farming and fishing. But because of the blockage of the creek by water hyacinth, silt and other unwanted features, farming and a whole lot of other economic benefits are denied the Epie-Atissa Communities, especially our women.

“I also want to commend the Epie people for preserving our cultural heritage. Indeed if properly branded and repackaged, this festival would become a tourist delight.”