BUHARI MEANS WELL FOR NIGER DELTA, SAYS EMUH
National chairman of the Host Communities of Nigeria, Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON), Dr. Mike Emuh, in this exclusive interview with ISAAC OLAMIKAN in Warri spoke on a wide range of issues bothering on his advice on how to curb the incessant Niger Delta crisis.
Excerpts:
Congratulations on your recent appointment into the governing council and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYREP) by the Federal Government.
I give God the glory. President Muhammadu Buhari has through my appointment and those of others in the HYREP shown that he is beyond certain petty consideration. I never lobbied for the appointment. So, the appointment came to me as a big surprise especially considering that am none partisan in political leaning.
Some people have labelled you a traitor for what they said is your putting personal consideration above group interest in HOSCON.
People can say what they like. I am not moved by such pettiness or cheap blackmail coming as it were certain elements who do not desire progress for the association (HOSCON). For many years nothing was working fine for the association. What happened was that some individuals were only interested in using it to feather their nest. Canvassing for improving the condition of the impoverished people of the host communities was no practiced. This, you can figure out, led to many people, especially the youths preparing for war. Such issues that could restore the confidence of the led for the leaders was never made uppermost during discussions. So when I was approached by some respected personalities to offer myself for service to the people I obliged. Since I came on board things have been turning around in HOSCON favour.
So, how has been the level of cooperation you have been receiving from the different chapters of HOSCON?
As we speak now, God has shown His faithfulness in so many issues of the HOSCON. Our numbers have continually been on the increase both in terms of the number of members and also states. We are doing well.
What plans do you have for the members of HOSCON?
We have goodies for all and sundry. We are just taking it one after the other so as not
become Jack of all trades and master of none. One thing that is sure is that we will never go back to Egypt. He that has his hands on the plough but looks back is not fit for the kingdom. Now in line with the modern trend we will give full attention to the needs of the elders, youths and women. Soon we will do skill acquisition programme and empowerment for all and sundry.
Recently, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), a group that comprises of stakeholders from the different ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region, met with President Buhari on the horde of problems facing the region. How would you assess the outcome of the meeting?
For me, President Buhari is a man that knows what he needs and what can be done to make the things work for everyone. But I fear that he was not properly briefed on the issues. Any stakeholders meeting where the youths are not allowed to participate and offer suggestions, is a complete nonentity. Its decision will sooner or later be of no use. The young ones are the ones blowing the pipelines not the elders. So, they (the youths) should’ve been given the opportunity to say whatever is their grouse.
