Slavery Of The Niger Delta: Group Threatens To Shut Down Oil Facilities

By Wilson Macaulay

The Peace Development Security and Humanitarian Rights Association of Niger Deltan under the leadership  of Comrade Mike J.K.Tiemo as President with nine others, Comrade Ohwahwa Lucky Ovigue, Secretary, Comrade Durojaiye Ogunsemore, PRO,  Mr. Patrick Okpomu, Comr. Benson Yabike, Comrade Joseph Odafe Edu and Comr. Sunny Anireto have made a declaration in conjunction with the GBARAMATU IJAW AND ITSEKIRI NATION.  

The group president, Comrade Mike .J.K. Tiemo who spoke in Warri Delta State during a press conference asserted that, “ based on the prevailing circumstances in the  Niger Delta region, the body wishes to refer to a letter dated 27th July, 2017, 24th June, 2019 etc to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate President, the Speaker House of Reps., the Hon . Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Hon. Minister of State for Petroleum, Minister of Information and Culture and  the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for the quick intervention to save the situation.

The statement noted that there is urgent need for remediation in and justice to prevail for the polluted environment by the inaction of past   administration deliberately done to deny the Niger Delta people of their inaniniable rights. .

Comrade Mike .J.K Tiemo pointed out that: “Indeed by virtue of the aims and objectives of Peace Development Security and Humanitarian Rights of Niger Deltans, legally established, the body believes in the collective efforts to work as a team for the growth and development of the Niger Delta in particular and Nigerian at large.

In the light of the above, we hereby lend our voice to the Ijaws of Gbaramatu kingdom and Itsekiri Nation declaration to demand for the adequate readdress of this  paramount burning and boiling issues in the Niger Delta region as follows.”

The group leadership demanded among other things as followed: “Demand for the immediate commencement and completion of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) / Gas Revolution and Industrial Park Project at Ogidigben and the Deep Seaport at Gbaramatu in Warri South West LGA of Delta State.

-Demand for the establishment of seventy nine (79) community based modular refineries in the Niger Delta as declared, announced, pronounced sometime in 2016 by the presidency as an alternative to solve and take over illegal bunkering activities in Niger Delta.

-Demand for express allocation, apportion and allotment of 90 oil blocs (Marginal Fields) to the 9 Niger Delta States indigenes for the proper development of the region and Nigeria at large.

-Demand for the immediate commencement of the construction of the Niger Delta coastal road master plan that will connect the region to the west through Escravos and Lagos.

-Demand for the opening and expansion of the Warri seaport, Sapele seaport, Port Harcourt seaport, the establishment of Ondo seaport, Gelegele seaport Edo State and Calabar seaport.

-The establishment or provision of Gas Turbines to all riverine oil and gas producing communities in the Niger Delta region.

-Establishment of fishing deports and companies in the following areas Awoye town Ondo State, Brass in Bayelsa State, Oyorokotor in Andoni L.G.A, Rivers State, Burutu, Ogulagha, Koko and Ogheye towns in Delta State, Calabar – Ogojah in Cross Rivers and Uyo in Akwa-ibom State for youths absolute employment, engagement and empowerment.

-Relocation of the operational headquarters of the International Oil Companies to the Niger Delta region in line with the vice president directive during his visit to the Niger Delta sometime 2016.

-Construction of the Omadino, Escravos, Oporoza and Ogbe-ijoh road project that has been in the pipeline for years.                              

-Demand for the decentralization of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as it done in case of the Nigeria law school to accommodate a campus in Effurun, Delta State.

-Demand for the construction of Udo-Ofunama road project in Edo State and the bridge construction to Ogbudugbu town in Delta State.

-Demand for the establishment of N21 Billion NNPC sponsored medical facility in Warri Delta State as proposed in Kaduna.

-Demand for the abolishment / termination of NIPIMS requirement certificate for Niger Deltans Oil and Gas indigenous contractors or companies.

-Demand for Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited (SNEPCO/ SHELL )  Bonga field OML 118 oil spill of 2011 compensation / payment to Niger Delta victims and communities.

-The immediate relocation of the Dry Dock Project meant for the Maritime University from Lagos to Okerenkoko to enable the students have absolute actualization of their practical objectives with firsthand experience of the industry they are being trained to join.

-The relocation of the Train 7 NLNG Fabrication Component from Lagos to Bonny

-The group once again emphasized that this demands became paramount and imperative due to the fantastic slogan of CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME in order for Mr. President to address the marginalization of some past administrations against the general well being of the Niger Delta people.

-Furthermore, the statement warned that if Mr. President failed to listen to the clarion call they will call on the 25, 000 numerical strength of their membership across the Niger Delta for a protest rally in line with the aims and objectives of the group for which it is established.

Finally, in summation the group noted that they are counting on this administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari that this request and demands will not be swept under the carpet but given utmost attention for peace,  and the development of the region that lays the golden egg for the Nation Nigeria.