Akwa Ibom State indigenes warn against ethnic sentiment in Niger Delta over NDDC appointments
ISAAC JOB, UYO
Ibom patriots, a group of eminent indigenes of Akwa ibom State has appealed to the people of the Niger Delta region to always ensure equity and brotherliness in relating with one another to prevent ethnic clashes rocking the Niger Delta Development Commission
The warning was issued against the backdrop of criticisms that trailed the recent appointment of Barr. Effiong Akwa as the sole administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), by President Mohammadu Buhari.
In a press statement signed by the chancellor of the group, Obong Bassey Inuaeyen and the secretary General, Barr. Usenobong Akpabio the group lamented that they have watched with consternation, the open display of ignobility by some groups and individuals, who patently exhibit a sense of entitlement over others in the affairs of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the region in general.
The group noted that the saying “What is good for the goose is also good for the gander” resonates under the circumstance.
“As a region, we have to federate communally to maximise the opportunities granted us by God in our environment rather than engage in mindless ethnic-infused struggles and pull-him-down syndrome.”
The group observed that the charade manifested recently when President Muhammadu Buhari, resolved to clean the Aegean’s stable in NDDC by appointing Effiong Okon Akwa as the Interim Administrator to oversee the affairs of the Commission until the forensic audit exercise is completed and a substantive board appointed.
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Ibom Patriots explained that the decision of President Buhari to appoint Effiong Akwa was convincing as the appointee is a prominent lawyer and chartered accountant with in-depth administrative experience.
“He is also a noble Niger Delta son from the leading oil producing State of Akwa Ibom”
The group further condemned the protest against the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio describing it as “condemnable, irrational and lackadaisical.”
“We therefore view the reported protests by Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and some other elements in the region against the appointment of Effiong Okon Akwa, and Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio as dumbfounding and a monstrous obtrusion of equity and brotherhood in the Niger Delta Region. This overbearing superiority claims to privileges, opportunities and benefits in the affairs of the region can no longer stand.
“Ibom Patriots aligns with progressive minds in the region to resist these devious tendencies as well as condemn the tirade of disapproval reportedly championed by a group postulating as Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) either for themselves or for others, against these Akwa Ibom sons.
“While applauding Mr. President on the appointment of Effiong Okon Akwa, we equally support his holistic drive for a forensic auditing of NDDC, for the sole intention of ensuring that the aims and objectives of the Commission as conceptualised at inception is effectively realised. Accordingly, we urge all dissenting voices to let peace reign in the region.
“There are prevalent challenges that we should collectively champion for the region. As oil producing states, it is principally our God given natural resources that enable our nation, Nigeria to drive the economy and service the country.
We should therefore constantly champion the development of the region by demanding the Federal Government and oil majors operating in the region to deepen their impacts.”
The group in the statement appealed for the completion of the East West Road project, construction of inter-linking federal roads and the relocation of headquarters of Oil majors to the region which they noted should be implemented without delay.
They also made case for the realisation of the Niger Delta master plan, the Ogoni clean-up exercise and Rail Line project, stressing that those are the glaring issues of concern before the Niger Deltans and not the dissipation of energy on incongruous matters.
“It is our candid opinion that for the effective derivation of our benefits, Niger Delta region must stand on equity and brotherhood. We must cherish each other and avoid self-distrust,” he said.
