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| Niger Delta Youth Leaders |
The grand council of Niger Delta youth leaders, comprises of youth leaders that cuts across the 9 Niger Delta States who have solemnly resolved to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble body, dedicated to the promotion, protection and advancement, as well as solidarity of the people of Niger Delta. Our fundamental and directive principle is based on the principle of democracy, equality and social justice, and it is our cardinal policy to co-operate and exchange ideas, and accordingly declare that we shall protect, defend and propagate the interest and welfare of the people of the Niger Delta. We have the common goal and interest of using a non-violent, approach towards issues bordering on the well being of our people, and at the same time, drawing the government’s attention to prevalent ills in the society.
We have noticed with concern, the current activities of our Niger Delta youths who have resorted to using violent methods in pressing for our emancipation as a people. As much as we agree that the issues being agitated for, are salient, and we identify with the genuine agitations of our brothers, we however condemn in totality the ongoing vandalization and bombing of oil pipelines, as we believe that this is akin to shooting ourselves in the foot as these activities are counter-productive. Already our economy is in dire need of revitalization and all available resources should be put to use in reviving it. We, Niger Deltans are a tranguil and advanced people so we would love to implore our brothers to resort to dialogue in our demands for equity.
We commend Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) on his administrative strategy, principally anchored on fighting corruption and the massive looting of Nigeria’s wealth by political office holders. As we also appreciate his efforts in redirecting our economy towards agriculture. We applaud his systematic war against corruption and pledge our unalloyed loyalty and support to this anti-corruption war. That is why we as individuals, groups and a people join Mr. President in this fight against corruption it is an inviolable truth that if he fails, we all fails. It must be fought from all fronts.
We wish to commend the lion of the Niger Delta, Hon Rotimi Amaechi Chibuike for giving the Niger Delta effective representation at the federal level. We note with pride his gargantuan strides towards repositioning the transport sector of the nation and we are using this medium to call on him to give more accommodation to Akwa Ibom and Cross River States in the scheme of things. The contributions in these states to the economic growth of the nation cannot be underestimated. We therefore urge our Honourable minister to give us that sense of belonging in his activities.
Worthy of emphasis is to commend Mr. President on the appointment of one of our illustrious sons, Obong Nsima Ekere as the MD/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission. Obong Nsima Ekere is an entrepreneurial doyen, seasoned administrator, assiduous technocrat and pertinacious innovator, whose wealth of experience will be brought to bear in carrying out his current call to duty. It is on record that Obong Nsima Ekere has contributed immensely towards the building of successful business, and that he has garnered valid national and international experiences in real estate, urban and regional planning, oil and gas as well as power and construction. His proven antecedents and track record in top management positions, working cross-functionally in a variety of challenging projects across various economic sectors shows that by his appointment, a square peg has been properly positioned in a square hole.
We are convinced that the NDDC will experience a geometric progression during the administration of this colossus whose performance in different capacities can only be described in the superlatives. We pledge our commitment to work hand-in-hand with this great salesman to ensure that development, empowerment and succuour is brought to Niger Deltans.
Also worthy of mention is the Appointment of Senator Ndoma Egba an illustrious Niger Deltan from Cross River State (CRS) as chairman of the Board of the NDDC, his experience in the National Assembly will largely impact on the growth of the region, and the smooth running of the commission.
Also the appointment of Engineer Samuel AjenaKevwe Adjogbe a Deltan, as the Executive Director projects and a rivers state indigene as the Executive Director Finance and administration, while an amiable son of Akwa Ibom State Mr Frank Samuel George, representing Akwa Ibom State, and a renown Veteran Journalist Ogaga Ifowodo represent Delta State, and of course the representative of the other states on the board, Mene Derek from Rivers, Donation Enyinna from Bayelsea, Sylvester Effefion Nsa from CRS, Hon. Uwuilekhue Saturday from Edo, Sen. Osita izunaso from imo, Olatokunbo Ayasin from Ondo, Harry Iborona Dabibi from Rivers, are well chosen and very qualified for which we say to his Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, thank you very much.
We also urge His Excellency president Muhammadu Buhari to give further attention to the East-West Road this coming dry season, so that it is completed.
On the issue of environmental pollution and degradation, we hereby express our sincere gratitude to Mr. President for the setting up of the Board for the cleaning of Ogoni land in Rivers State. We also quickly add, that the entire Niger Delta region has been greatly polluted and the environment degraded by the activities of oil exploration.
We kindly urge His Excellency to order the oil companies to embark on full remediation works and total cleaning of the Niger delta while they also should please puts an end to gas flaring in the region.
Also of importance is the need to revitalize the Delta steel company Ovwian Aladja that is currently wasting away. This steel complex just like its sister company the Ajaokuta steel plant if properly re-engineered and put to work will among other things engender and become a source of employment of our youths. We urge that athe issue of the marinetime academy, at okorekoko in delta state should be revisited, as well as the olokola liquified natural gas project in Ondo State and the Brass LNG lying abandoned, should be looked into.
Further more as the economy improves which we very much believe that your administration is capable of turning the economy from recession to prosperity, we humbly request that your administration open up the Niger Delta by commencing work on the proposed costal road and development of a railway line (Costal corridor) that will run from Lagos to Calabar, this will open up the creeks. To open up the creeks have numerous advantage, ranging from easy movement of goods and people to exposing the world to the tourist potentials of our creeks for sight seeing etc which will also boost the economy and reduce crime generally.
We also use this avenue to urge, that urgent attention should be given to the upgrading of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron to the University status. While enjoining the Akwa Ibom State Government to ensure that the college of Education, Afaha Nsit becomes a degree awarding institution.
We commend the federal government through the Niger Delta development commission for the inclusion of the Calabar, Ikot Ekpene – Aba Road in the approved Federal budget. We have noted with satisfaction the ongoing work at the Calabar-Itu road. However, we are calling on the contractors handling the inaccessible portion of the Calabar road to expedite action on the work as the comatose State of the project is already causing untold economic hardship on the people. It is on record that 3 boat mishaps have occurred as a result of the inaccessibility of the road through car transportation, thereby leaving the comminuters with no option than being paddled by boat or canoe from one side to the other. We recommend that remedial measures should be put in place to ensure that at the cessation of the rains, work will be continued in ernest.
Finally, collective good for all can only be achieved through the subjugation of our individual interests and the propagation of positive, general ideals and policies geared towards holistic and overall development. Antagonism and aggression only aids in further eroding our sensibilities and cohesion as an indivisible entity. We call on all patriotic Niger Deltans and Nigerians to put all hands to the pump in ensuring that this “project” does not amount to an exercise in futility. Together we can transit from our current State to a sphere where plausible, feasible, and visible development is brought to all of us. We envision a brighter tomorrow not only for ourselves but for our succeeding generations.
Long live Niger Delta.
Long live Nigeria.
Comrade Awakessien Clement
[Grand Leader]