Ijaws laud Kachikwu for inspecting maritime varsity site

…Gbaramatu Chief Escapes Kidnap Attempt, Wife Abducted
The Ijaws of Gbaramatu kingdom have lauded last Thursday’s fact-finding visit of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to the temporary site of the Maritime University at Kurutie, Delta State.

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) had listed the opening of the Maritime varsity as one of the conditions for ending the destruction of oil facilities in the state.

Media aide to ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, lauded the visit by the minister, saying the Gbaramatu people were very pleased.

Meanwhile, a key representative of the Ijaws of Gbaramatu kingdom in the ongoing negotiation to end the destruction of critical oil facilities by the NDA, Chief Godspower Gbenekema, allegedly escaped an attempt to kidnap him on Thursday night.

However, the suspected kidnappers abducted his wife, who was in the same car with him.Bebenimibo said Kachikwu was very impressed with what he saw at the university’s temporary site contrary to the position of the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, who had said that nothing was on ground for the maritime varsity to take off.

“In this country we dwell too much on falsehood. Amaechi should have visited the site of the university to see things for himself before talking recklessly, because NIMASA, a parastatal under his ministry, established the university. We need to be practical in this country. Kachikwu’s visit has given him the opportunity to see the extent of work at the maritime university, and we are very pleased,” Bebenimibo said.

The Guardian gathered that Gbenekama, the Ibe-benimowei of Gbaramatu kingdom, who was at the stakeholders peace meeting in Asaba, Delta State, which was attended by Kachikwu, escaped being kidnapped along Refinery Road, Effurun, in the outskirts Warri about 8 p.m.

Unfortunately, his wife was kidnapped and reportedly taken to an unknown destination. Her whereabouts was still unknown, as her abductors had not made any contact with the family at the time of filing this report.

Attempts to speak with Gbenekema via his phone proved futile neither did he reply to text messages sent to him. A source said the Ijaw leader was safe but would not divulge his whereabouts for security reasons.