Niger Delta Group To Buhari: Reassign Keyamo As Minister Of Niger Delta Affairs

-Blames FG For NDDC Corruption Saga
By Wilson Macaulay
The National Executive and the entire members of Peace Development Security and Humanitarian Rights Association of Niger Deltans in an open letter have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reassign Hon. Festus Keyamo SAN, Minister of Labour and Employment as the substantive Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to be at the helm of affairs to fasttrack the developmental drive of the Niger Delta.

A statement jointly signed by Comrade Mike JK Tiemo, President, Bishop Dr. Godwin Pinawei, Vice President, Comrade Durojaiye Ogunsemore, PRO, and Comrade Lucky Ovigue Ohwahwa, Secretary, made available to Oasis Magazine reads in part: “ln the light of the Niger Deltan agitations, as a result of the fraud saga from the ongoing NDDC investigation, in order not to cause a diplomatic vacuum to jeopardize the overdue blessing of the people of the Niger Delta, we hereby send a compassionate appeal to, the federal government to re-assign and place Hon. Festus Keyamo ( SAN) to immediately take over the helm of affairs of the Ministry of Niger Delta for proper mitigation, discipline, guidance, caution and administration of his competency to discharge his duty with a high degree of proficiency in line with the spirit and letters of the rule of law for the benefit of all.”

The humanitarian group under the leadership of Comrade Mike Tiemo apportioned blame to past administrations in Nigeria for the absolute neglect of the region , poor monotoring mechanism which led to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) fraud saga coupled as with Government unwillingness to develop the Niger Delta since the discovery of the ‘ Golden National Cake or Black Gold’ the major sustenance of Nigeria’s economy.

Comrade Mike Tiemo, the Group President reinstated in his speech during the interactive session that it is good for the Federal government to take seriously the issues of the development of the Niger Delta because the region is the treasure base of the country which is supporting, developing, promoting and boosting economic activities of other regions or zones that are not oil and gas producing areas.

Comrade Mike Tiemo who further bemoan the posture of past goverments towards the Niger Delta region by leaving it in a mess, said: “My brief definition of marginalization of Niger Delta by the past administrations is like the denial of a “heir apparent” whose legal right cannot be cancelled by the birth of another child with a stronger claim. Secondly, to make a person or group to feel less important or powerful. This denote and signifies that the federal government does not have genuine recognition of the Niger Delta that makes Nigeria to be one amongst the giant crude oil producing countries in the whole world.”

Comrade Mike Tiemo made a declaration thus: “We the members of the Niger Delta Humanitarian Group hereby give the FG two weeks ultimatum to address our demands or expect a total evacuation of oil and gas workers and shut down of oil facilities in Niger Delta.”

The declaration added: “The Governing authorities should know that we are not slaves or migrants in Nigeria. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”

Tiemo argued that the Niger Delta region requires core recognition and proper positioning, appointments or engagement apportioned to Niger Deltans.

The Group president also spoke about the denial or deprivation of creation of more States/Local Government Areas in the Niger Delta region as demanded by the people.

Bishop Dr.Godwin Pinawei who also spoke in his contribution stated: “lt is indeed absurd that no Marginal Oil Field or oil Bloc is given to the oil producing communities to carryout exploration and production activities more than 50 years after the crude oil discovery and production.”

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Bishop Dr. Godwin Pinawei remarked that they are using the opportunity of the open letter to call on all the Niger Deltan not to derail in the pursuit of the region’s developmental agenda as a result of the fraud saga ongoing in the NDDC, so that it will not be used as an excuse to jeopardize the target of the agitations.

Comrade Lucky Ovigue Ohwahwa, Secretary and Comrade Durojaiye Ogunsemore, PRO who made their own separate statements asserted: “We dont need to loose focus over the Niger Delta development goal because an assignment has been given to the committee or panel to do a thorough investigation, adding that all we need to do is to wait patiently for the out come.”

The duo of Comrade Lucky Ovigue Ohwahwa and Comrade Durojaiye Ogunsemore in their comments posited: “We further urge President Muhammadu Buhari as a matter of urgency to engage Chief Hon. Timipre Sylva and Hon. Festus Keyamo (SAN) to serve the Niger Delta People and Nigeria in general with dedication in the ongoing President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to salvage the Niger Deltans and the region before it is too late.”

They affirmed that the call became paramount and imperative because the oil and gas producing companies, NNPC and DPR does not even recognize the Niger Deltans as a result of the federal government persistent and consistent laxity to enforce the regulatory policies.

The Group lamented further, saying: “In fact, if we are sincere to ourselves, the Niger Delta region cannot take more than ten (10 ) years for it to be developed and transformed into a small London if our governments are serious. What we want is fairness and accruable birth right given to us by God.”