Urhobo leaders calls for support for Buhari’s government

 

By Onitsha Shedrack,  —– ABUJA ——— November 25^th, 2016 ——————-

 

 

Urhobo Leaders have called on the federal government to resuscitate Delta Steel Company, the rail line between Ajaokuta and Ovwian/Aladja, and the seaports in Warri, Sapele, Koko, Okwagbe, and Burutu to boast economic activities and as part of the peace building process in the Niger Delta region.

This call was made during a thank you visit by the Urhobo Leaders of Thought, (ULT) led by its President, Chief Tuesday Awhe Onoge  to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo,  to thank Mr. President for appointing Engr Samuel Adjogbe, as the Executive Director Projects in NDDC, and also nominating Chief Efeduma Francis, as an Ambassadorial nominee representing Delta State.

Chief Onoge while declaring the group’s support for the Buhari’s change agenda, urged the  Federal Government to properly fund the development agencies set up  for the development of the region and also  ensure the judicious utilisation of such resources allocated to such agencies.

He also appealed for more appointments for key Urhobo political players, adding that he is optimistic that Nigeria will overcome the current economic challenges in a short while.

The forum also decried the situation in the Niger Delta region, where oil facilities and other national assets are being destroyed intermittently thus disrupting oil and gas production from the region.

In his words, Chief Onoge asserted that “Urhobos condemn these activities in their entirety.” He further called on the government to explore the avenue of dialogue, and seek common grounds with the leaders and people of the region. The group advocated for better representation of the Urhobo Nation in future dialogue efforts.

While calling on the federal government to reorganise the Amnesty Programmes to accommodate all ethnic groups in the region, the Forum President appealed to government to reward the peaceful conduct of Urhobo youths through engagement in useful activities noting that Urhoboland has more length of pipelines than anywhere else in the region.

As part of its presentation, the group requested the government to create a Natural Gas-Based Power Generating Hub around Utorogu Gas Plant noting that it will guarantee increased power availability via the minimisation of cases of pipeline destruction, reduce power production costs, and stimulate growth of industry in the country.

It also called for the establishment of Modular Refineries near oilfields to improve the supply of refined petroleum products and create jobs, community participation in Oil/Gas Production in the form of Equity and/or profit-sharing stating that this would increase the sense of ownership and community commitment to protecting such facilities

They also expressed confidence in the leadership of Olorogun Otega Emerhor in leading the All Progressives Congress in Delta State and Distinguished Senator, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege for effective representation in the Senate.

Welcoming the delegation from the Urhobo Leaders of Prof. Osinbajo commended the leadership and understanding of the Urhobo Leaders of Thought.

He also reiterated that damaging of pipelines and oil installations in the Niger Delta is a destruction of facilities meant to help the people of the region.

He lamented that, “so much damage is being done, governments will come and go, but these damages will ultimately destroy people’s livelihoods, aspirations and their future.”

“Nobody else anywhere in the world will destroy the facilities meant to help them, there is no benefit whatsoever from the destruction,” the Vice President continued.

While maintaining that the Buhari administration would continue its outreach to leaders and groups in the Niger Delta in seeking peaceful solution to the crisis, Vice President Osinbajo called for understanding, especially on the part of the leaders of the region stressing that destruction and damage “does not lead to anything good.”

Regarding the opened channels of communication and negotiation with the Niger Delta leaders and representatives, the Vice President assured that President Muhammadu Buhari has shown exemplary leadership and is someone that can be trusted once he gives his word.

“He is quiet, but fiercely determined, once he makes up his mind and gives his word,” the VP observed encouraging the Niger Delta people to work with the President.

Members of the forum in attendance are, Chief Francis Efeduma, Chief Mumaikai Unagha, Elder Donatus Uba, Chief Napoleon Odogu, others are Barr. Ore Ohimor, Chief Olowu Efe Mathias, Comrade Monday Oyeghe amongst others.