Ogbe Quarters, Ugbuwangue , Warri, Delta State. Email: kesvent@gmail.com
March 22, 2017
The President and Commander In-Chief
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Muhammadu Buhari
Aso Rock Villa
Abuja
Sir,
NDDC PROPOSED FRESH PROJECTS AND THE DELIBERATE EXCLUSION OF ITSEKIRI NATION----AN URGENT APPEAL TO CALL THE NEW NDDC BOARD TO ORDER
We must not fail to use this opportunity to thank God Almighty for the good health He granted you with the support as well as prayers of well meaning Nigerians.
Your Excellency, the efforts of your administration to reposition the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC with a view to making it more transparent, efficient and result-oriented cannot be over-emphasized.
While concerted efforts is being made by your administration through engagements with key stakeholders to bring about the much desired development of the Niger Delta region as well as ensure fairness, equity and justice, the “Invitation to Tender” published in the Vanguard Newspaper of March 15, 2017 on page 47 by the new Board of NDDC is a threat to your strategic resolve/policy.
In the publication authored by the NDDC Board, a total of 375 projects were advertised for Tender and out of the total number, 61 projects were allocated to Delta State. Naturally, the move should gladden the hearts of Niger Deltans (especially Deltans) that the development agency which performed below its mandate prior to your administration, seems poised to develop the region in-line with the APC led manifesto.
Sir, we are however shocked with angst that Itsekiri Nation was totally excluded in the proposed 375 projects to be executed by the NDDC new management. It’s incontrovertible that Itsekiri ethnic Nationality is the second largest producer of Crude Oil in Nigeria.
This is not forgetting the painful sacrifice we had to make for the Executive Director, Projects, EPD position in the current NDDC Board, maybe Itsekiri Nation is paying the price for the justifiable agitations some of our Kinsmen in the All Progressives Congress, APC made during the nomination and confirmation of the Board’s membership, particularly the position of EDP.
For clarity of purpose, Itsekiri Nation is undoubtedly the richest in oil and gas in Delta State, so the thought of outright exclusion in the proposed projects, which allots 61 to Delta State is absolutely unimaginable and leaves us with the impression that Delta State representatives in the new Board are playing a card of annihilation of Itsekiri Nation in your administration’s renewed vision.
Your Excellency, our heart is broken and this precedent by the new NDDC Board sends a dangerous signal, one totally different from what your policy direction is tailored towards.
Probably, the NDDC Board led by Victor Ndoma Egba as the Chairman, Nsima Ekere, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Director, Projects, Engr. Adjobe Ajenakvwe and Ogaga Ifodowo (Delta State) among others, should tell Nigerians the ‘Sin’ committed by Itsekiris of Delta and Edo States.
We will rather not belabor you Sir, considering the enormous task of rebuilding our Nation, especially in the areas of security and economy, but the prevailing situation has warranted this open letter.
We strongly appeal that you use your highly exalted position to compel the management of NDDC to immediately redress the deliberate marginalization and slight on the peace loving Itsekiri people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, before we become tempted to believe the insinuation that violence and blackmail are the only avenues to get justice, fairness and equity in Nigeria.
We look forward to your prompt action Sir.
Long Live Your Excellency
Long Live Delta State
Long Live The Federal Republic of Nigeria
Signed:
Erefoluwa Keka
President
Edema Ulisanmi Justin
Secretary
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