Edith CHUKU
A socio-cultural pressure group in the oil rich Niger Delta region has rained praises on the President of the Ijaw National Congress INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, and his team for their efforts towards restoring peace amongst aggrieved leaders from Rivers Ijaw.
Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta MOSIEND, commended the role INC played to ensure peace amongst leaders who had expressed misgivings over what they term as inequitable award of pipeline security and surveillance contract.
According to the Eastern Zone Chairman, Mr. Prince Marley and Secretary, Mr. Godwin Opiuyo, the pan Niger Delta group described the efforts of INC as stupendous.
While urging coordinators of pipeline surveillance from Rivers State to be transparent and fair to communities, MOSIEND also, “commend High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemopolo alias Tompolo for engaging community leaders from Rivers State where his company’s surveillance operations cover.
“We describe the move as a step in the right direction for peace to reign. We appreciate the leaders from Rivers State for their maturity, understanding and cooperation with our brother Tompolo in ensuring that the security and surveillance of pipeline in Rivers State is effective, in order for our communities to be free from black soot and other illnesses resulting from the illegal bunkering activities.
“Recall that MOSIEND has been playing a pivotal role in the fight against oil theft and illegal bunkering to rescue our young men from dying. We are appealing to our leaders managing the chances meant for the communities to resist the temptation of playing politics with the slots at their disposal.
“We believe equitable distribution of the slots amongst communities and engage those in the communities who can do work will really help. Ofcourse, we have no doubt about their capacity to undertake the task as they have even handled similar job ab initio.”
They further stressed that, “the huge poverty in our communities is quite frightening, this opportunity will go a long way in engaging a handful of our unemployed brothers hence bring relief to the community.”
