I said it a long time ago. This hypocrite call Yar'Adua is not sincere enough to solve the Problems in the delta. Read this report from Today's THISDAY.
N’Delta Protests NNPC, PTDF Appointments
From Patrick Ugeh and Juliana Taiwo in Abuja, 04.01.2009
Niger Delta elders, under the aegis of the Delta State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Leaders’ Forum (DESOGAPLEF), were at the Presidential Villa yesterday to protest the recent appointments into the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Chief G.E. Mabiaku commended the Federal Government over the appointment of Elder Godsday Orubebe, who accompanied the delegation on the visit, as one of the Niger Delta ministers but said DESOGAPLEF was committed to promoting the interests and wellbeing of people living in oil and gas producing communities.
He said the group was seeking audience with President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua through Jonathan, "being a son of the Niger Delta", to hold discussions over recent appointments in the oil sector particularly the NNPC and PTDF, the implementation of the Niger Delta Technical Committee Report, step-down of the IPP at Okpai in Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State, the need for urgent construction and rehabilitation of federal roads in Delta State, among other issues, which had been presented previously to the President.
The appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC by Yar'Adua had caused ripples amongst the South-South leaders.
Barkindo, until his appointment, was the group executive director of the NNPC in charge of special projects. He replaced another northerner, Alhaji Abubakar Yar'Adua, who was the acting GMD of the corporation for about two years.
The agitation from the region had been that of disappointment over why Yar'Adua would appoint another northerner as NNPC GMD after his appointment of Alhaji Rilwan Lukman as energy minister.
They insist that the President's action smacks lack of commitment in addressing the imbalance in the region.
Also the appointment of Katsina State-born Muttaqha Rabe Darma as the Executive Secretary (ES) of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has raised new concerns over the continuous dominance of the Fund by elements from the same section of the country.
He succeeded Alhaji Kabir Mohammed as the fifth northerner in succession to occupy the exalted position.
Before him, there had been Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu (Mairago) from Kaduna who was ES from 2000 until 2005 when he resigned to contest the governorship of Kaduna State and was succeeded by his kinsman and former local government chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Husaini Jallo, who had a short but controversial tenure.
Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri replaced Alhaji Jallo and was in the position until 2006 when the immediate past ES, Alhaji Mohammed was appointed to take over from him.
The DESOGAPLEF delegation said they were worried over the failure to appoint Niger Delta indigenes to head the agency since their establishment.
In his response, Jonathan restated the commitment of the Yar’Adua’s Administration to assuaging the problems of people in the Niger Delta region.
He said shared the concerns of the Niger Delta people, describing the delegation as powerful, comprising leaders and elders from five different ethnic groups from Delta State and noting that some of them had been part of the effort to put together the report of the Ledum Mitee-led Niger Delta Technical Committee.
Other members of the delegation include, Chairman Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, Senator F.S. Okpozo, Isoko Ethnic Nationality, Hon. Justice J.A. Obi, Ndokwa Ethnic Nationality, Hon. Chief Peter Kpogban, Urhobo Ethnic Nationality and Chief E.E. Ebimami, Ijaw Ethnic Nationality.
Meanwhile, Darma has disclosed how the disturbances in the Niger Delta are negatively affecting projects earmarked for some communities there.
These projects include completion of the National Technical Institute for Oil and Gas, Bonny Island, Rivers State; establishment of Federal Polytechnic for Oil and Gas at Ekowe, Bayelsa State; and development of infrastructure for a secondary school and a primary school at Okerenkoko and Oporoza in Warri South, Delta State.
According to him, implementation of these projects by the Fund had been particularly challenging owing to difficulties associated with the terrain and community disturbances which have generally slowed the pace of development of the projects.
These were contained in a statement issued by Kalu Otisi, Head, Media and External Relations.
Darma stated this while intensifying his consultations with major stakeholders of the funds intervention programmes in the Niger Delta.
It said in a meeting with King Joshua Igbugburu, the paramount ruler of Bomo Kingdom where Ekowe community is situated, the Executive Secretary solicited his Majesty’s assistance in stemming the youth restiveness which has stunted the development of the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe.
He also wants the paramount ruler to urge his subjects to constitute monitoring groups with a sense of ownership of the projects to ensure their delivery.
He said so far PTDF had awarded a total of 17 contracts for the development of the polytechnic with only six making significant progress.
In a separate meeting with the executive of the Ijaw Youth Council, the Executive Secretary revealed that the organisation’s intention is to set up a world class Polytechnic that will attract international attention to Ekowe in terms of manpower development, training and education.
He therefore sought the support of the youths of the area to ensure that the Polytechnic is fully established this year as planned. According to him, “if the Polytechnic is established, it is the Ijaw youths that will benefit as 98% of enrolment will be from the area”. He said the people of the community also stand to benefit as the Polytechnic will provide employment to academic and non academic staff. Other elements of development, he said will be attracted to the area which will ultimately lead to the growth of southern Ijaw area as a whole, as the coming on stream of the Polytechnic will have a multiplier effect.
Muttaqha therefore urged the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council to consider these advantages and contribute in providing the enabling environment for the establishment of the Polytechnic as planned.
The PTDF Executive Secretary also announced that the Fund would soon commence the establishment of a centre for training and vocational skills acquisition in oil and gas industry to be located in Portharcourt, where unemployed youths will be trained to acquire skills.
Posted: at 2-04-2009 09:50 PM (15 years ago) | Upcoming |
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