IRDC Missing N300m: Olu of Warri discloses move to sanction culprits

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, says leaders of the 23 communities making up the Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC, have been directed to act swiftly, to protect whatever is left of IRDC fund and take necessary measures to sanction all those involved in the, “dirty act”, of purportedly withdrawing N300 million from IRDC account in Keystone Bank.

The Warri Monarch, recalled how he was, “blackmailed and ambushed by those who claim to own the IRDC”, when he started the process of getting the IRDC Communities to elect new hands to take over the administration of IRDC.

While noting that a lot of people, “who had adopted arm-twisting tactics at that time to discourage us, have been coming to me to report that huge sums of money have recently been withdrawn from the project account of the IRDC fund”, The Olu of Warri, who spoke in an address, during the grand-finale of his 5^th Coronation Anniversary Saturday December 12, expressed gratitude to God that a vast majority of Itsekiris living in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world, “have been reported safe and healthy, in-spite of the frightening stories that have continued to come out of these places as the virus (Coronavirus) ravages on.”

On why the Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro led executive of Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC, was granted another one tenure of four years, he explained: “The tenure of the executive Council of the INYC expired in October. But before now, I had directed that the two factions of the council operating under separate constitutions, with two separate CAC registration certificates, be merged into one. I had also requested that a proper Board of Trustees be established to help pilot and guide our youths in the conduct of the affairs. These directives have yet to be followed. I therefore, in consultation with my chiefs, community elders and some identified leaders of the youths themselves, made a decision for the Weyinmi Agbateyiniro led executive to continue for a maximum of another one tenure of four years, so that all of these issues can be properly sorted out. I hear some people are unhappy with this and are heading to court. I appeal to all aggrieved people to sheath their sword and, instead come forward with ideas to build a better and more virile youth organization.”

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli

The King, who spoke through Prominent Warri Chief, Brown Mene, stated that communities under his domain, such as Ode-Itsekiri, Ugborodo, Orere/Yanagho and Ogheye-Eghoroke, are facing serious ecological challenges, appealing to the Federal and State Governments, to urgently address the ecological threat, with help from the Ecological fund.

He appealed to the Minister of Transportation, to complete the process of dredging the Escravos Bar for Warri and Koko Ports.

While also calling on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, to ensure the funding and completion of the age-long Koko-Ogheye Road project, with a view to opening up the Benin River Corridor all the way to Lagos by road, Ogiame Ikenwoli, mentioned the Gas Revolution Industrial Park Project, GRIP in Ogidigben, Bridge to Ode-Itsekiri, electrification of communities in Escravos  and Benin axis, as well as the Omadino-Okerenghigho-Escravos High way, as some of the critical infrastructural projects in Itsekiri land, that demand urgent funding by both the Federal and Delta State Governments.

A Cross Section of Warri Council of Chiefs, present during the grand-finale  

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