OPEN LETTER: Okowa Stop The Marginalization Of Ndokwa People

The incessant marginalisation, undermining, and oppression of Ndokwa people within Delta State emanating from the actions or inactions of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa administration, PDP, DESOPADEC, and oil companies operating within the Ndokwa region can no longer be tolerated even with penitential talks.

It is true that Ndokwa is the largest gas producing nation and also the 4th largest producer of oil and gas in Delta State yet it has nothing to show for it.

Olorogun Godwin Obire from Agbarho Orohokpkpor has severally expressed displeasure over the non-inclusion of Ndokwa indigenes into DESOPADEC, any key appointment or beneficiary of any programme which other ethnic nationalities have been enjoying for over six years in the PDP led government under the leadership of Okowa.

Unarguably, Ndokwa is a peace-loving ethnic nation refraining itself from taking laws into its hands. They are not involved in bombing or vandalising of oil pipelines and installation or any kind of violence to the government or the oil companies operating in their land. Despite this, it remains undeveloped to the highest level because of reasons best know to Okowa.

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There is no higher institution, government presence or industries to engage Ndokwa youth as the oil companies in their communities with the help of the PDP led administration under the leadership of Govrr Okowa prefer the principle of divide and rule tactics instead of maintaining the local content law.

I hereby humbly bring to the notice of all Deltans especially those in constituted authority who have deliberately enslaved Ndokwa Nation all this years the current complaint which now threatens the peace, stability and unity and survival of the Ndokwa people.

The past few months have been characterised by unrest and acrimony among interest groups in Delta State, majorly involving the ethnic group subjected to marginalisation in one hand and the ethnic group unduly favoured on the other hand by the PDP led administration under the leadership of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

The fact that Ndokwa ethnic group has several oil wells and gas plants that supply electricity to about 16 other states; and yet Ndokwa nation lives in darkness. orchestrated by the PDP led Administration for reasons best know to Governor Okowa. To verify this, there is the Kwale/Okapi gas plant operated by Agip Oil Company.

The Ndokwa nation also contributes large percent of the total oil and gas produced in Delta State with many foreign and indigenous oil producing and servicing companies like Sterling Global, Energy Oil, Midwestern Oil and Gas, Pillar Oil and Gas, Agip Oil Company Operating in Ndokwa nation peacefully yet poverty and hardship is the order of the day.

The pendulum of baseless and unfulfilled promises by Delta State government, PDP and the Okowa led administration has been swung too far, and I owe it as a duty to myself to act as a Deltan who is concerned about the poor state of the Ndokwa /Ukwani people.

I’m constrained to lodge this complaint on social media here with a view to advancing the rule of law as opposed to the whims and caprices that have operated thus far.

Ndokwn nation has eminently qualified persons to serve on DESOPADEC board as commissioners. I, demand the engagement of Ndokwa youths like other ethnic groups.

There is the need to establish a state university or polytechnic within Ndokwa/Ukwani. The desire to constantly supply Ndokwa nation with electricity cannot be gainsaid.

I’m fortified in this position by the provision of the section 14{4} of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as (amended).

Which provides that composition of the government of a state, a local government council or any, the agencies of such government or council and the conduct of affairs of the government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the people.

Godwin Obire writes from Agbarho Orohokpokpor.