From Joseph Obukata (The New Diplomat’s N’Delta Correspondent)
A coalition of groups from Ndokwa nation in Delta State, comprising of creeks and upland areas, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari, never to take with levity the need to grant host communities in Ndokwa a paltry margin of 20% minimum goodwill shares as co-beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s planned lease of marginal oil and gas fields, warning that there will be consequences for failure to do so.
The group gave the warning at a well attended world press conference held in Kwale, Headquarter of Ndokwa West local government area over the weekend under the aegis of ‘Ani Osa Ndokwa’ Clan President-Generals and Coalition of some notable Ndokwa Associate Groups.
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In a communique emanating from the meeting, the representatives of Ndokwa nation placed demands on the President Buhari-led FG noting that until the conditions are fulfilled the erstwhile peaceful people of Ndokwa land will be forced to take their destinies in their own hands, decrying the alleged disregard of the people of Ndokwa nation by successive governments in the Nigerian federation.
According to the group, President Buhari must also consider the immediate appointment of Ndokwa person as Chairman or Managing Director on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, amongst many other demands.
Furthermore, the Coalition noted that Ndokwa land is host to the largest Non-Associated Gas (NAG) reserve in the West African sub-region, according to extant seismic, geological and drilling data. There are enormous Natural Gas resources of more than 10 trillion cubic feet that can support two or more major LNG projects.
Going down memory lane, the group stressed that Ndokwa nation was a division at par with other divisions in the old Midwest Region. Today, the old Asaba Division now has 6 LGAs while the old Aboh Division (Ndokwa nation) has 3 LGAs, stressing that electoral equity and fair play demand that Ndokwa should have more LGAs and constituencies.
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The spate of insecurity by marauding criminals and herdsmen in their farmlands is preparing them to engage in organized self-help by taking their destiny in their own hands, the communique reads.
Not accommodating Ndokwa nation in the economic gains from the FG’s Oil and Gas projects, will make what the government seek from their land to be inaccessible. The Coalition warned of dire consequences of further neglecting the peaceful people of Ndokwa land.
“The Government that undermines our people by preferring to take provocative and anti-peaceful actions should not forbid us to respond to their provocations.
“That ongoing anti-corruption probe of NDDC should bring justice to the people of the Niger Delta. It should not be swept under the carpet as a mere political exercise. NDDC should no more be a sink hole for awards of over inflated contracts or none existing projects.
“We have remained peaceful without any history of sabotage, vandalizing pipelines or blowing up of Oil production facilities, against the continuing neglect and marginalization of our people.” The communique reads.
Its further averred that the destruction of the eco-system occasioning severe environmental consequences has forced most Ndokwa people to seek alternative but hazardous livelihood.
Also disheartening, the group lamented, was the fact that Aboh which has the most advantaged location for an inland Port facility was deprived of this facility which was politically swapped for an inland Jetty. The list of inequities is unending. We call on Government to reverse this immediately.
Pointedly, the coalition noted that, to avoid youth restiveness in Ndokwa land there was urgent need for Government intervention in the provision of infrastructure, capital and human resources development; set up alternative rewarding programmes for the youths and women, in educational scholarships and loan incentives for small & medium scale businesses, artisanal refineries, compensations for Gas flares, and industrial give-backs projects for the exploitation of our Oil & Gas.
The Coalition mentioned their 7-point demands as follows: Appoint an Ndokwa person into the Management board of NDDC as either Board Chairman, Managing Director, Construct coastal road from Asaba through Oko-Abala-Utchi-Aboh-Abalagada ending at Patani.
“Our people should not be provoked to halt the Gas supply for the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project amongst other pipeline networks That a Federal Tertiary Institution be sited in Ndokwa land and urge an accelerated passage of the bill and expedited presidential assent. All defaulting Oil & Gas Companies including Agip OML 60 should immediately pay compensations and penalties for Gas flares, non-renewal of MoUs and failure to pay Ground rents to their host communities.
“Establish a standard template of MoUs with the Host communities. Update the measuring scale for determining the accurate quantum of the Oil and Gas production from Ndokwa. Accelerate the completion of the Okpai – Kwale TCN Line and Substations. repair distribution network. We demand a paltry margin of 20% as minimum goodwill shares of each marginal oilfield.”
They urge those provoking Ndokwa people to desist from opening another theatre of conflict.
The signatories to the communique include the President General of Ndokwa Clans with his 1st Vice President General and General Secretary. Other signatories are the principal representatives of Ndokwa Youth Congress, Ndokwa Nation Developmental Forum. Ndokwa Renaissance Network, and Ukwuani Bu Ani Eze Group.
