ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Ijaw crusaders, the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), has described the delay in the composition of the substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as provocative and a deliberate move to undermine the people of the region.
The National President, MOSIEND, Kennedy Tonjo-West, said the Federal Government had no excuse for delaying the announcement of the board up till now.
He said the action of the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government only underscored how unserious his administration took developmental issues in the region.
Tonjo-West said despite the fact that the people of the region had put in their best to ensure unhindered increase in oil production, peace and security, the government was unconcerned and insensitive to their plight.
The activist said: “The whole scenario is playing out, no thanks to the Minister of the Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who is the architect of this unnecessary delay and a spoke in the wheel of our progress by deliberately misleading President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The life span of this administration is almost running out and nothing to show forth as long as development of the region is concerned. We wonder what the Department State Services and other security agencies are doing.
“If they are furnishing the Presidency with prompt and accurate information of the brewing tension in the region which is the only independent and reliable source of getting genuine situation report , Mr President would have used his discretion to inaugurate the earlier list sent to the National Assembly to save the region from this quagmire.Â
“The truth is, the people of the region are unsatisfied and unhappy with the way and manner the Presidency is foot dragging as it concerns the NDDC board’s inauguration. We are currently on a time bomb. It won’t be a wise decision to dare the people of the region.”
Speaking on the forensic audit submitted to the Presidency few months ago, Tonjo-West described it as a scam, likewise the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC.
He added: “There are no plans, no vision, no direction for the region. Akpabio is Buhari’s worst mistake.
The Department of State Security Services or whatever they are called should advise Mr President appropriately and that he should not run after anyone that tells the truth.
“The region is boiling and things may just snowball into what is not anticipated. We are already sitting on a keg of gunpowder and Mr President shouldn’t make light of it.”