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Tag: Niger Delta

  • Buhari’s actions polarizing Nigeria-Ijaw Youth Council

    Buhari’s actions polarizing Nigeria-Ijaw Youth Council

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of waging war against the Niger Delta region.

    It said despite spending over four years in government, Buhari is still allegedly treating some parts of Nigeria with bias.

    IYC President, Pereotubo Oweilaemi, in a statement on Monday, said that Buhari’s policies and programmes were not for the benefit of the South South and the South Eastern parts of the Country.

    He said: “Just recently on Wednesday the 27th of November, 2019, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N19b to construct roads in northern and western parts of the Country. Despite the deplorable states of the federal roads in the Niger Delta region, none was considered by FEC.

    “East West road, Warri-Benin road, Benin Asaba road amongst many others are now death traps to road users. In fact, movement from Warri to Benin federal highway has been cut off as the road is completely damaged. Similarly, the East West road is no longer motorable as some portions of the road, especially from Bayelsa to Rivers State axis has been damaged.

    “Regrettably, these are the only roads that connect the Niger Delta to other regions. Even the Minister of Works is paying lip service to our plight as commuters are undergoing excruciating pains and agonies in plying these roads. Babatunde Fashola’s reference to the deplorable state of the Warri-Benin road as a mere media hype, is an insult to the Niger Delta people.

    “If the South South or the Niger Delta region is part of Nigeria then President Buhari, his Minister of Works, Raji Babatunde Fashola, SAN and other top government functionaries should take a visit to the roads in the region from Cross River State down to Edo State and see things for themselves. From the way and manner the present government implements its policies and programmes, it appears that Buhari did not see Niger Delta region as part of Nigeria.

    “The East West road project which was awarded since 2006 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been completely abandoned by Buhari’s government. The present Government has displayed an unmitigated hatred for the Niger Delta people, perhaps due to our political leaning in the past elections.

    “Niger Delta people cannot fold their arms and allow the Government to use the resources from their land to develop other regions, while they watch with grimace faces. The present Government should not by act or omission incites Nigerians against one another. You can’t claim to be propagating one Nigeria dream when some parts of the Country are not feeling the dividends of democracy under your watch.

    “The ruling Government should have a rethink of its policies and programmes. The President’s actions and body language are polarising this Country along political-cum ethno-religious lines. He should be a uniting factor and not one that keeps Nigerians further divided. If Buhari kept on allowing these political apathy and alienations against Niger Delta people to fester then we afraid that the existing peace in the oil sector may not be sustained in the long run.

    “The signs are just there, staring us in the face. Mr. President should save this Country from another economic crisis in the oil sector. Nigeria belongs to all of us. We all have equal rights to development if we must continue to live as united partners.”

     

  • APC blasts Niger Delta governors over comment on NDDC Board

    APC blasts Niger Delta governors over comment on NDDC Board

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the opposition of governors of Niger Delta to the reconstitution of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was shameful and disgraceful, asking the governors to concentrate on delivering the dividends of democracy to their people.

    In a statement by the National Vice Chairman, South South of the party, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, the APC said it was unfortunate that the governors were opposed to the appointment of those it called qualified Nigerians into the board of the NDDC.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to various reports in the news and print media on the very shameful and disgraceful steps taken by South South Governors, on the recent appointments made by Mr. President, wherein very qualified sons of South South geo political zone were appointed into the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    “Ordinarily, we would have ignored such disgraceful steps by men we thought could have known better, but it has become imperative that we stand in the defense of justice and for the benefit of Nigerians.

    “It is sad that these Governors of the Oil rich states of the Niger Delta who should be highly concerned by the level of poverty and deteriorating state of infrastructures in the zone, are rather being parochial, selfish and exhibiting the highest form of ignorance in governance.

    “They are only interested in ensuring that their family members, cronies and stooges are appointed to strategic positions, to the detriment of the generality of Nigerians.

    “The steps by these self-serving Governors just goes to show that indeed their election into such high offices were just a direct product of the subversion of the collective wills of the people in the last general elections. We view these steps taken by these Governors as very dishonorable and it shows that governance in our zone is at the lowest ebb.

    “Whereas, responsible leaders would have rolled out the drums in celebration and appreciative of Mr. President’s magnanimity in appointing eminent and qualified Nigerians of the South South extraction into the board of NDDC, Governors of the South South geopolitical zone, most of them from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, went on rampage, asking Mr. President to review the appointment, for whatever reasons. What a shame!

    “For us, we view this as crass irresponsibility, shameful display of ignorance, and opposition politics carried too far.

    “For the benefit of doubts, for those who may not be familiar with the trend of events in the South South (Niger Delta) region, irrespective of the humongous amount of monies the Governors of the zone receive from the federation account and security votes on a monthly basis, there is nothing to show in terms of development.

    “Under the watch of these Governors, there is high rate of unemployment, youths’ restiveness and its ugly consequences, kidnapping of innocent citizens for ransom by criminals, poor primary health care facilities or none existent in some areas, poverty, insecurity of lives, banditry and all vices are on the increase in the zone.

    “There is total decay of infrastructures in the zone and these Governors are doing nothing about it nor have a workable template on how to deliver democratic dividends to Nigerians of the South South zone.

    “It is very shameful that these governors have not exhibited capacity to govern the people, but just engaging in fanning the embers of their deflated egos, self-aggrandizement and getting involved in selflsh politics, while the people wallow in abject poverty and penury.

    “Our only consolation is that our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenging the charade that brought these darks of unreason to power at the various legal platforms.

    “We wish to use this medium to join millions of respected leaders and stakeholders nation-wide in thanking our amiable leader and President, President Muhammadu Buhari, for reconstituting the NDDC board; and for also appointing qualitied indigenes of the South South zone and qualified Nigerians into the board.

  • Rivers most violent state in Niger Delta – Report

    Rivers most violent state in Niger Delta – Report

    Three hundred and forty conflict-related deaths were recorded in nine Niger Delta states in June and July, Niger Delta Conflict Tracker report, released by PIND Foundation’s Niger Delta Link, has said.

    The report showed that criminality (128) and gang/cult related (109) killings accounted for 237 deaths (or 68.2 per cent) during the period.

    Confirming the report, PIND Foundation’s Afeno Super Odomovo said the document was part of the monthly release by NDLink. It covers June and July.

    The report showed that Rivers State recorded the highest number of conflict fatalities (120), accounting for more than a third of conflict-related deaths in the nine states of Niger Delta, including Abia, Imo and Ondo.

    The state topped the criminality-and gang/cult violence killings chart with 61 persons dying in cult/gang violence, and 53 crime-related deaths in June and July.

    Flashpoint areas include Obio/Akpor council, with 37 killed; cult violence (23); as well as robbery, kidnap and other crimes (14).

    The report noted that “conflict risk and lethal violence in Rivers State during this period were driven mainly by cult violence, kidnapping for ransom, violent protests, and Violence Affecting Women and Girls (VAWG).”

    Khana and Emuoha councils also stood out as hotbed for violence in Rivers by recording 34 and 17 deaths for June and July.

    Akwa Ibom is a distant second to Rivers, with 60 deaths. Cross border conflict resulted in 40 deaths, all in Mbo council, with communal conflicts in Itu council.

    Delta State, with 50 deaths, is third on the list. Fatalities resulted mainly from criminality (25), while communal clashes, including herdsmen versus farmers, and cult violence accounted for 11 deaths apiece.

    “Reported incidents during the month (in Delta) related mainly to communal conflict, and criminality, including kidnapping for ransom,” the report said.

    The lowest conflict-related deaths occurred in Abia State, where criminality and gang/cult violence claimed seven and two lives, of the nine deaths recorded.

    Other states where people died from conflicts are Ondo (31), Cross River (27), Edo (21), Bayelsa (20) and Imo (11).

    NDLink said on the report: “This monthly tracker is designed to update peace agents on patterns and trends in conflict, risk and violence in Niger Delta, as identified by PIND Foundation’s Integrated Peace and Development Unit’s (IPDU) early warning system, and to seek feedback and input for the response to mitigate areas of conflict.”

    It urged members to ensure trackers were comprehensive by contributing their knowledge and reporting any verified incident of conflict to the IPDU Early Warning System.

  • Omo-Agege warns against relocation of Nigerian Gas Company from Ekpan-Warri

    Omo-Agege warns against relocation of Nigerian Gas Company from Ekpan-Warri

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed dismay over the insistence of some multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region on moving their headquarters elsewhere.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Deputy President of the Senate, in a statement, said Omo-Agege demanded that oil companies whose head offices are not in the region should relocate there.
    Omo-Agege, who expressed the dismay on Monday at the Senate plenary during the confirmation hearing of ministerial nominees, also said there is no need for Nigeria to continue with the multibillion Naira oil sudsidy regime.
    He said all that is needed to address the lingering issue of inadequate refined oil production to match local consumption, is to fix the country’s ailing refineries.
    He also expressed surprise that in spite of obvious economic realities, some people within and outside the NNPC still continue to believe that sudsidy is the solution.
    “I have always taken the position that there is no need for us to continue with this subsidy; all we need to do is to fix the refineries. But, today, I have seen many people in the NNPC and elsewhere moving otherwise because they believe we ought to continue with this subsidy regime.
    “I am from the Niger Delta and there are a lot of us who believe that most of the oil companies doing business in that neighborhood ought to have their offices and their headquarters in that same neighborhood so as to provide employment opportunities
    “There is an issue that is raging right now in the Niger Delta and it has to do with the Nigerian Gas Company in Ekpan-Warri; they are also threatening to move their headquarters from Warri in Delta state to somewhere else.
    “I am seeking a commitment today as the representative of the people of Delta Central that no ministerial nominee today will eventually superintend over the movement of the Nigerian Gas Company elsewhere.
    “I also seek a commitment that those companies that are doing business in the Niger Delta but have their headquarters elsewhere should come back to the Niger Delta area to provide jobs for our teeming youths,” the Deputy President of the Senate said.

  • FG will do more to develop Niger Delta in next four years – Osinbajo

    FG will do more to develop Niger Delta in next four years – Osinbajo

    The federal government pledged yesterday to do more to enhance the physical development of the oil bearing communities in the Niger Delta in the next four years.
    Giving the assurance on behalf of government was Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during a courtesy call on the the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, HRM, Joseph Timiyan I, at Obotobo, Burutu Local Government area of Delta State.
    Osinbajo noted that the development agencies created to fill gaps in the region had failed to live up to expectations.
    The vice president, who was in Delta state to commission some projects, including the 20.29 KM Obotobo 1- Obotobo 11 – Sokebolou – Yokri Road in Ogulagha Kingdom and the Main Axial Road in Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area, said the federal government would consult with the state government to determine areas in need of development.
    He was particularly unhappy that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not been able to meet the expectations of the people of the region.
    “The NDDC, in many respects, has not met the expectations of the oil producing states,” he said.
    “A lot of money is invested in NDDC and the Ministry of the Niger Delta because the real reason they were created is to speed up the development of oil-rich communities. We will sit with the Delta State Governor to look at specific areas to develop in the creeks.”
    He commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his achievements in a neighbourhood and area that had not had the type of roads commissioned yesterday.
    “We commend him also on several other initiatives in this kingdom in particular, because this has been a very peaceful community and it is a host to several of our oil and gas assets.
    “So, it really is a special pleasure to commission these roads and also thank His Royal Highness, (Elder, Capt) Joseph Timiyan, who has maintained the peace in this neighbourhood and who has shown true leadership by the way he has conducted the affairs of this area,” he said.
    Governor Okowa, said the Vice President was invited to commission the projects because he visited the creeks in the pursuit of peace and an enabling environment for oil and gas production.
    “It is not just the length of the road that makes this project unique; it is that the road is located right beside the Atlantic Ocean with all the human, material, ecological and financial implications that this difficult terrain presents; we did not know we could get this length of road in the creak until the King drew our attention to it.
    “I am happy about the progress we have made so far. This has greatly helped to ensure peace in the state, which bodes well for uninterrupted oil production and the health of the national economy.
    “We are continuing to use various structures and initiatives to ensure that the peace we have enjoyed in the last three years is sustained.”

  • Omo-Agege: Niger Delta now has a voice in Buhari’s govt – IYC

    Omo-Agege: Niger Delta now has a voice in Buhari’s govt – IYC

    The Ijaw Youth Council has hailed the election of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as Deputy Senate President in the ninth National Assembly as a positive step towards integrating the people of the Niger Delta into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    IYC, the umbrella body for Ijaw youths worldwide, said the elevation of Senator Omo-Agege representing Delta Central, the region now has a voice in the decision making process of the All Progressives Congress’ government.

    The statement read, “The Ijaw Youth Council worldwide has hailed the election of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of Delta Central as the Deputy President of the National Senate.

    “The IYC regard Senator Omo-Agege’s election as a positive step to integrate the Niger Delta region into the mainstream of decision making in the Buhari administration.

    “The region has not fared very well under Buhari; hence we consider Omo-Agege’s election as the right step in the right direction.”

    It further urged Omo-Agege to see himself as the representative of the larger region being the highest political office holder from the region at the moment and carry all the segments of the region along in his new position.

  • Owhoko writes President Muhammadu Buhari over Niger Delta

    Renowned journalist and author, Michael Owhoko has written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, advising the president to direct the international oil companies and their indigenous counterparts to relocate their headquarters to their operational areas in the Niger Delta in order to boost the economies of the host states and communities.

    He said this is the fastest way to open up the economies of the region which have suffered years of degradation and neglect resulting from the activities of oil exploration. He said, this was important drawing from the example of how Abuja was developed.

    Justifying the move, Owhoko said, “Mr. President, this is the fastest ways and means to develop the Niger Delta. Imagine when Abuja was identified as the new capital territory, and the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government were not directed to relocate from Lagos to Abuja, there was no way Abuja would have transformed to the level of development it has attained today.

    He added, The 13 percent derivation of oil proceeds being enjoyed today is a product of struggle. The Niger Delta people struggled to achieve the initial 1.5 percent, 3 percent and the current 13 percent derivation. Why should the people of the Niger Delta be subjected to a life of struggle? They struggle for everything, perhaps, because of their weak numerical strength. So, who will come to their aid? This is an opportunity, Mr. President for you to identify with the Niger Delta people to end their struggle.

    “It is also of interest to remind Mr. President that the people of Borno and Yobe states which have suffered devastation from the impact of Boko Haram insurrection, did not put up struggle for their territories to be rehabilitated. It is only important for the destroyed territories to be restored so that life can return back to normal. After all, most of the people are victims and innocently found themselves in that predicament.

    Thus, when the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary, the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) directed the oil companies to make budgetary provisions for the rehabilitation of destroyed territories in Borno and Yobe states, there were no objections. The NNPC and the oil companies are today funding the construction of houses, schools, hospitals, roads, and so, in the war torn areas. These rehabilitation and reconstruction ideas are commendable, but imagine if these were also replicated in the Niger Delta where the resources of the nation are generated, how populist this would have been.”

    Below is the full text:

    AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

    Dear Mr. President

    I congratulate you on your re-election at the recent concluded presidential polls. This has thrown up another opportunity for you to serve Nigerians for another four years. Since this will be the last lap of your administration, it is therefore imperative to remind you of the need to pay attention to the pains of those from whose territories revenue for oiling the nation is derived.

    I am writing this open letter to you as a citizen of Nigerian who is concerned about the current plight of the Niger Delta people. As a citizen who is from the area, I am particularly moved by the current frustration of the people whose troubles have been made worse by the termination of their natural means of livelihood. The people of the area are predominantly fishermen and farmers, and today, the rivers and land are toxic due to activities of oil exploration. Unfortunately, what should have accrued to the people have been severed by the laws of the land.

    As a way out of these plights, I am recapping a solution which had earlier been suggested. I believe it has the capacity to improve the livelihood and, alleviate the suffering of the people of the Niger Delta.

    My Appeal:

    Let the international oil companies (IOCs) and the indigenous oil and gas companies relocate their headquarters to their operational bases.

    Though this has been canvassed by several prominent persons from the Niger Delta, and prominently endorsed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who had said he was not averse to the relocation of the head offices of the oil and gas companies to their operational areas, my focus here is the attendant numerous benefits and value additions that have not been fully accentuated.

    If Mr. President is generous enough to give approval to this suggestion, he would have sealed a date with history by putting his name on the sand of times, as the first Nigerian President to take a singular measure that evidently translates to improved living conditions of the Niger Delta people.

    Your Excellency, I believe the presence of the oil companies will trigger unprecedented economic boom that will ultimately transform the region. Since this has not been fully addressed in previous postulations, I have opted to highlight some of the benefits that will accrue from the relocation of these oil companies to the Niger Delta, for your consideration.

    In doing this, reference is deliberately played down on the contributions of the oil companies to the Nigerian economy through foreign exchange earnings and gross domestic product (GDP). Instead, emphasis is on the extent to which the presence of the oil companies will impact the economies of their host communities.

    Mr. President, just consider the following benefits that will accrue to the people of the Niger Delta if the oil and gas companies are directed to move their headquarters in Nigeria to their operational areas:

    1. Revenue of host state governments will be boosted through taxation. Workers in the employ of these companies will remit their taxes (PAYE) to their host state governments, and this will enable them meet their financial obligations. Imagine if Your Excellency assents to this proposal, how robust the economies of these states would be. Infrastructural gaps, including health care and educational facilities, salaries and other obligations will be addressed as appropriate.

    1. Youths will be productively engaged. Unemployment will be reduced as jobs will be available to keep the youths away from the streets. In other words, direct and indirect jobs as well as contracts will be created for indigenes with enhanced purchasing power. Even where most of those jobs are lowly and unskilled like cleaning, gardening, and so on, at least, money earned will go a long way in robbing off on the relatives and dependants of these employees.

    1. Multiplier effect cannot be quantified as this will generate fresh demands for goods and services, leading to various chain reactions on the local economic front. For example, employees of the oil companies will rent accommodation, patronize the local market for foodstuffs and confectionaries, and as a result, the landlord and market woman are empowered, translating further into reinvestment in the local economy.

    1. Besides, some of the employees of these oil companies may buy land from the host communities or locals to build their houses. In the process, the locals are empowered, the town or village or city is developed and, adjourning communities will open up. These little towns can transforms into mega and metropolitan cities with concomitant business opportunities.

    1. Inter- marriages and attendant social relations are also added values that will occur in the area which may further promote the desired unity in the country.

    Mr. President, this is the fastest ways and means to develop the Niger Delta. Imagine when Abuja was identified as the new capital territory, and the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government were not directed to relocate from Lagos to Abuja, there was no way Abuja would have transformed to the level of development it has attained today.

    Abuja is the youngest city in Nigeria, yet, it is only second to Lagos in terms of development. This has been made possible because of the presence of the MDAs. Thus, Mr. President, the people of the Niger Delta will appreciate it if you can direct the IOCs and the indigenous oil companies to relocate to their areas of operations.

    Your Excellency, recall that the Niger Delta is an area that had hitherto enjoyed control of the oil resources up to 50 percent based on derivation principle under the 1963 Constitution. Unfortunately for the region, this was then abrogated to enable the Federal Government have absolute control of the entire natural resources and revenue, so it could prosecute the civil war. The war ended in 1970, yet government refused to revert to status quo, opting instead to expropriate all petroleum resources to itself through the Petroleum Act of 1969.

    The 13 percent derivation of oil proceeds being enjoyed today is a product of struggle. The Niger Delta people struggled to achieve the initial 1.5 percent, 3 percent and the current 13 percent derivation. Why should the people of the Niger Delta be subjected to a life of struggle? They struggle for everything, perhaps, because of their weak numerical strength. So, who will come to their aid? This is an opportunity, Mr. President for you to identify with the Niger Delta people to end their struggle.

    It is also of interest to remind Mr. President that the people of Borno and Yobe states which have suffered devastation from the impact of Boko Haram insurrection, did not put up struggle for their territories to be rehabilitated. It is only important for the destroyed territories to be restored so that life can return back to normal. After all, most of the people are victims and innocently found themselves in that predicament.

    Thus, when the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary, the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) directed the oil companies to make budgetary provisions for the rehabilitation of destroyed territories in Borno and Yobe states, there were no objections. The NNPC and the oil companies are today funding the construction of houses, schools, hospitals, roads, and so, in the war torn areas. These rehabilitation and reconstruction ideas are commendable, but imagine if these were also replicated in the Niger Delta where the resources of the nation are generated, how populist this would have been.

    Mr. President, it will not be out of place, therefore, if new initiatives can be launched to develop the Niger Delta which has suffered different forms of hardship, diseases, environmental degradation, and so on, as a result of the activities of the oil companies. Making these companies to relocate to their operational areas is one major step that can transform the Niger Delta and accelerate the development of the region.

    Mr. President, this is not a constitutional issue like restructuring, so, it is within your purview to effect. It requires a presidential directive or at least a memo from the Minister of State for Petroleum to the Federal Executive Council for approval.

    Sir, it should be noted that this letter is not a demand for restructuring of the country, which fundamentally, aims at enthroning justice and equity through fiscal federalism, but a presidential directive compelling the oil and gas companies to relocate their headquarters their operational bases.

    When compared to what obtains in foreign countries, the practice in Nigeria is an aberration. For example in America and Canada, all of the oil and gas companies have both their headquarters and operational bases in Texas, USA and Alberta and Quebec, Canada. No oil companies have offices in Washington and Ottawa, capitals of the USA and Canada respectively.

    This is also applicable to the oil and gas companies operating in the United Kingdom where the headquarters and operational bases of the companies are based mostly in Aberdeen, Scotland, and not London. This is the pattern all over the world. So, why is Nigeria different?

    Mr. President, I acknowledge the various intervention efforts of government. Specifically, I appreciate the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ministry of Niger Delta Affiars, Amnesty Programme, construction of the East-West Road, establishment of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Maritime University and the introduction of the 13 percent derivation. These are all geared towards the development of the region, but not much impact has been made.

    Mr. President, you will agree with me that equity requires that where resources are produced, part of such resources should be ploughed back into that area for the development of such area. Too little is set aside for this purpose in the Niger Delta region today.

    Mr. President, there may be those who may not be disposed to my proposal. They may try to rationalize why oil companies should not relocate to the Niger Delta. Such persons are quick to cite insecurity as reasons.

    Mr. President, though insecurity is a symptom of hunger and frustration, those who maintain this line of thought do so out of ignorance or clandestine motive. For example, since the relocation of Nigeria LNG Limited headquarters from Lagos to Bonny, Rivers State where its operational base is, none of its employees have been kidnapped or reported kidnapped.

    Employees of NLNG in Bonny enjoy peace and security in the area. Their presence alone in Bonny has opened up and raised the level of business and commercial activities of the town and its environs. The host communities are happy because of their living conditions which have experienced a leap, arising from patronage of employees of NLNG in their local trade and commercial activities.

    Another example is the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) with its headquarters located in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. Since its establishment by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act which came into effect on April 22, 2010, they have conducted their businesses and operations under an atmosphere of peace. There has not been any case of threat to the lives of the employees by way of kidnapping, robbery and other forms of criminal activities.

    Today, it is on record that the NCDMB has contributed in no small measure in facilitating the development of Yenogoa, particularly through corporate (NCDMB) and individual (employees) patronage and support of institutions and businesses.

    Mr. President, it is my view therefore that the presence of oil companies in the Niger Delta will inspire hope, restore dignity and reassure the people of the numerous opportunities and potential commercial activities in the region.

    Your Excellency, it is my plea therefore for you to direct the oil and gas companies to relocate their administrative and operational headquarters to the Niger Delta region.

    Once again, congratulations on your victory at the polls.

    Michael Owhoko

    April 8, 2019

    Michael Owhoko is a journalist, author and public relations practitioner who has mostly worked in the banking, oil and gas, and media industries. He is the author of The Language of Oil and Gas; Career Frustration in the Workplace; Nigeria on the Precipice: Issues, Options, and Solutions; The Future of Nigeria; and Feminism: The Agony of Men. He is also the publisher of Media Issues, an online newspaper that can be found at www.mediaissuesng.com.

  • Niger Delta Minister denies working for PDP

    Niger Delta Minister denies working for PDP

    Sen. Usani Usani, Minister of Niger Delta, has dismissed claims of working for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as cheap blackmail aimed at tarnishing his reputation by desperate politicians afraid of his rising political profile.

    The Minister said while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja that the allegation was baseless and being peddled by his political opponents.

    Usani wondered what would attract him to the PDP now that he was a minister having declined all offers made to join the party in the 16 years it held sway in country.

    The minister stressed that the people of Cross River, his home state, could attest to his character and credibility.

    “In 2012 when i contested against PDP candidate, offers were made to me and i declined, if you talk to the people of Cross River, they know us by character.

    “If i did not accept overtures from the PDP before now, what will attract me now as Minister, if for 16 years i declined everything they offered to me.

    “Now as minister, what do i want to gain from them, is it that if i support them i will become President’’, he wondered.

    Usani said he won his ward in the just concluded Presidential election for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and could therefore not be working for the opposition PDP.

    He maintained that those peddling the fake news were afraid of his growing political relevance and how that has exposed their weaknesses and irrelevance.

    According to him, some of those dishing out the mischief had mismanaged public resources and are now afraid that the anti corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari would catch up with them.

    The Minister alleged that some of them were awarded contracts but failed to execute them after getting paid.

    Usani expressed concern that the APC has derailed from its original vision, stressing that it was only the integrity of President Buhari that is keeping the party as one.

    “The president’s image is what keep standing as if there is a form of a party, otherwise by conduct, we have lost every value of initial concept that brought honor to our party’’, he said.

    The minister added that the allegation that he was supporting Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the APC immediate past National Chairman, was a ploy to create bad blood between him and Adams Oshiomhole,the party’s current National chairman.

    “I wonder what that meant, Odigie-Oyegun contested no election and so, even if somebody was supporting him, of what amount of value would that support be’’, he asked.

    He, however, added that his suspension on March 1, by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) alongside Governors Rochas Okorocha and Ibekunle Amosun of Imo and Ogun states, would not stand.

    Usani said he had been silent for a while over the issues because as a minister, he recognised where rule and order prevails.

    “My silence for a while is because anybody worth the salt of a public office occupation should be able to recognise where rule and order is to prevail.

    “I am however, speaking out because further silence in the face of the falsehood in the market, will suggest that am guilty and that’s the reason i can afford to talk on these issues now’’, he said.

  • Elections: Army uncovers plan to attack polling centres in 4 Niger Delta states

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said it had uncovered plans by suspected hired thugs to attack polling centres in some unnamed states in the Niger Delta.

    Col. Aminu Iliyasu, spokesman of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, disclosed this in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

    The army spokesman said that thugs believed to be working for some politicians had been armed to the teeth to disrupt the Feb. 23 and March 9 elections in some areas.

    According him, credible intelligence available to the division’s headquarters uncovered an unholy plan by some political actors within the division’s area of responsibility to arm and sponsor miscreants.

    “This plan is in addition to using military-like fatigue dress for deception to cause pandemonium at polling stations for their political gain,” he said.

    Iliyasu in the statement, however, said that a covert operation with sister security agencies had already been launched to track the thugs as well as locate the source of their weapons.

    “The division wishes to unequivocally state that anyone found to be disrupting the electoral process under any guise will be decisively dealt with.

    “Such individuals will be dealt with in accordance with the laws no matter how highly placed he or she may be.

    “The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, wishes to reassure the people of Niger Delta of adequate security in conjunction with other security agencies before, during and after the elections,” he stated.

    The army spokesman commended the people for their cooperation and assistance, urging them to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

    The army 6 Division covers Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers.

     

  • What we will do to Nigeria’s economy if Buhari is reelected – Niger Delta militants

    The Niger Delta Avengers have threatened to halt crude oil flow from the Niger Delta and cripple the economy if President Muhammadu Buhari is re-elected.

    The group who said this on Thursday decried what it described as the “continuous criminal exploitation and exploration of our natural resources that engender the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta.”

    The group, which has been demanding a greater share of the oil revenue produced in the region, said in a statement that it had adopted the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, as its preferred choice.

    “We are adopting Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the sole candidate to be voted for by all the people of the Niger Delta as a result of his political ideology, which is in tandem with our agitation for equitable and fair principles of federalism,” it said.

    The NDA, in a statement posted on its website, warned that if Buhari was re-elected, there would be “a perpetual recession for Nigeria.”

    Atiku has proposed to devolve more power to regions in a policy dubbed “restructuring” that would give states greater control over their finances.

    The NDA said, “The High Command of the Niger Delta Avengers is convinced that when elected, the government of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will not only restructure Nigeria but will reverse the inimical ownership rights to natural resources…”

    The militants said that if elected, Atiku should start a “restructuring of Nigeria” within six months to forestall further agitation from the Niger Delta.

    They warned members of the international community, multinational corporations and their subsidiaries to withdraw their workforce and services from the Niger Delta within the period of the elections in order “not to be casualties to the ongoing provocation in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian Military.”