In attempting to define the expectations of the Urhobos from Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who is representing the Urhobo nation in the Nigerian Senate, an APC chieftain, Dr. Wilson Omene has called on the Deputy President of the Senate to, among other things, come up with laws that will attract investors to invest in Urhobo land.
Omene who made this call in Mosogar, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, in an exclusive interview, noted that Urhobo land is abundantly endowed with huge gas reserve that remain untapped, adding that all that is needed are investment-friendly laws that will attract investors to the area.
He said: “We have a lot of gas reserve in Urhobo land; we have in Kokori, we have in Mosogar, we have in Afiesere, we have in Otu-Jeremi and other parts of Urhobo in large quantity. So, we need laws that will make it simpler for investors to come to Urhobo area to tap into those available gas reserve resources. Until such laws are enacted, investors will continue to shy away from investing in this are because presently, the law is not friendly.
“So, while he is there at the Senate, we expect him to facilitate laws that will make it possible for people to come and invest in Urhobo land. And of course, Urhobo people should give him the full support to create the enabling environment where such investments could thrive. That is one of the area he can transform the Urhobo land with the new office.”
Speaking further on the expectations of Urhobo from the Senator, Omene although condemned the use of quota system in sharing the national cake, tasked the Senator to be vigilant and committed to the process of allocation of opportunities to the different senatorial districts in order for Urhobo not to be shortchanged.
He said: “But when quota system is being applied either in employment, admission of even projects allocation, if you don’t have somebody there to represent the people while the sharing is going on, your portion can be diverted to another area that is represented in that occasion. That is why sometimes what is allocated to Delta Central, for instance, could be diverted to Delta North or Delta South because nobody is there to represent Delta Central when the sharing is taking place. So, the Deputy President of the Senate must keep his eyes open. I’m not saying we should take everything but it should be done according to population.
“The Urhobos are the fifth largest ethnic nationality in the country. So, when we talk of the over 250 ethnic nationalities in the country and we are the fifth, it thus means we have come very far. So, I feel strongly that he has the responsibility to ensure that whenever such things are shared, the Urhobos are not shortchanged.”
On the state of the APC in Delta State, the former chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Council said that as the number one leader of the party in the state, it behoves the Senator to bring all the factions together and formed a united party, adding that 2023 is around the corner and there was need for the party to unite and form a strong opposition in the state.
“As the number one leader of the party in the state, it does not mean he is the one to do everything. However, one would expect him to use his position to bring all warring factions together. There is time for war and there is time for peace. So, to me, I feel that it is now up to him to realize that he has not won a war and therefore, it is not a winner takes it all stuff. So, I think strongly that the party should come together now. 2023 is just around the corner and there is the need to move ahead very fast as a united party. It is time to synergize and harmonize all differences in order to transform the APC to a very strong opposition in the state”, he said.
