The seat of power in Bayelsa State was busy that Monday morning. With the local government tour behind him, Caleb Olubolade was set to make his first public broadcast, one week after taking office. Government House was overtaken by press men from far and near. Before him, still and video cameras jostled for space to get a vantage shot of the young administrator. On the flanks, a battery of reporters took their places, pen and paper at the ready.
A palpable hush fell over the audience as the voice of the Administrator resounded over the microphones laid out before him. The captain was talking from a first-hand experience when he delved into some of the basic problems facing the people, as far as he could tell. To start with, office space was an urgent challenge, and so was residential accommodation for workers.
There was the express need for potable water in the homes of the people, and electricity supply to riverine communities must be a primary initiative. The state obviously lacked a road network, and the distribution of petroleum products was a herculean task. But all of these could be tackled when the government fully evolved what Olubolade called a People-Oriented Plan of Action (POPA) for short. He reiterated the call for peace and order all around the state, and underscored the need for the people to have faith in the transition to civil rule programme of the Federal Government under General Sani Abacha.
The following day, Olubolade set out to visit an erosion scene threatening some electric poles in Ayakoro community, Ogbia Local Government Area. He got exclusive wind of the impending disaster and promptly inspected the scene, alongside representatives of the company that won the contract to build a shore protection bulwark. Ayakoro could not be an isolated case, and Olubolade resolved to address the matter wherever it occurred in other communities.
Back in Government House, the administrator played host to the management of the Western Division of Shell Petroleum Development Companyp, Warri, Delta State. Joshua Udofia, General Manager, explained that the larger part of the state falls under the Eastern Division of the company. He was in Yenagoa with his team to call for dialogue on issues that would be of mutual benefit to the state and the multi-national company.
Olubolade’s reaction was swift. To start with, he said, there was need for the company to establish its presence in Yenagoa. It had become necessary to do sonin order to facilitate the resolution of lingering issues that may affect the smooth operation of the company, such as the security of rigs and other operational facilities. This courtesy call seemed to set the ball rolling for the joint meeting between Olubolade, the Shell team from Warri, the chairman of Ekeremor local government area, and representatives of the oil-rich Letugbene community.
The people of the community had made urgent demands to the company. A few weeks ago, they had shut down the Shell rig, resulting in huge daily losses to the company. The Friday meeting afforded the parties an opportunity to air their views at a round table. That day, Olubolade displayed his sense of maturity and promptness in managing a crisis situation.
The people of Letugbene said they had spent 190,000 to bring about a resolution of the crisis. That was big money in 1997. They wanted a refund forthwith, in addition to other demands already before the company. Shell, on its part, demanded the release of their rig. They had a licence to operate.
Olubolade mediated between the two groups and took a stand beneficial to both parties. The money in question was promptly paid, and the people of Letugbene agreed to allow the company resume operation in their area. The company also agreed to provide basic amenities for the people.
The young captain spent the following day attending to files that kept piling up on his desk, and refused to see anybody. The following morning, a Thursday, members of the state traditional rulers’ council, led by its Chairman, King Joshua Igbugburu, were at his door post to pay a courtesy visit. The royal fathers had come as a team to formally congratulate the Administrator on his appointment.
They were at the airport to receive him. Olubolade could not hide his high esteem for the traditional institution, and this was a good time to solicit their cooperation in the management of the state, if only to maintain peace in their domains at all times.
That second week also saw the wife of the Military Administrator, Mrs. Mopelola Olubolade, busy with women groups. In her capacity as chairperson of the Family Support Programme (FSP), she paid her maiden visit to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. The Director-General in the ministry, Mrs. Ella Douglas, was on hand to conduct Her Excellency round every office in the ministry.
The following day, the state chapter of the National Council of Women Societies, led by its President, Mrs. Victoria Denenu, paid a courtesy call on the First Lady. Thursday came with another visit to Mrs. Olubolade by members of the Port Harcourt chapter of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association. The group was led by Mrs. Boma Benebo, who stood in for Mrs. Idongesit Udofia. To round up the second week, the First Lady held her first meeting with chairpersons of the FSP in all the Local Government Areas of the state.
