Oil Producing Communities Give FG 15-point Development Agenda
Oil producing communities from nine states have presented a 15-point development agenda to the federal government to address the challenges confronting them in the Niger Delta region.
On their shopping list include an oil city, addressing the problem of oil pollution, immediate commencement of work at oil spill remediation sites, passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and the setting up of a petroleum industrial tribunal, among others.
Unfolding the agenda during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru, the Chairman, Association of Community Leaders of Nine Oil Producing States, Mr. Ishmmael Frank Oputu, said the association has been contributing towards peaceful existence in the Niger Delta and about 60 per cent of peace in the region created by it.
Responding to the 15-point agenda one by one, Uguru said the federal government did not abandon the East-West Road, adding that a total of N286 billion of the N560 billion estimated to complete it had so far been paid to the contractors.
He said in his view that the amount was enough to complete the road up to Oron in Akwa Ibom State, which is currently not the case.
Uguru assured the people of the Niger Delta region that none of the ongoing projects being executed by the ministry in the region would be abandoned.
“East-West road is not abandoned except that work on the project is very slow. We will soon find out why the work is slow. Contractors will tell you it was because of lack of funds. But we will soon tell you our own reasons why the work is slow.
“But now let us be where we are. But one thing I can say is by the budget of the road, more than N560 billion was estimated and for now over N286 billon has been paid, which in my view should have completed the road. I have been to Oron. In my view, it should have completed the road up to Oron because in some places the terrain is bad enough and some other places, it is not as bad.
“So, if they have spent that amount of money and the road is still not completed….we are waiting to look for more money so that the contractors will continue with the work,” he said.
He regretted the practice where some youths indulge in criminality in order to be recognised or rewarded, noting that, calling for a change.
“So, on this pipeline vandalisation, we hope that as we are working on the framework, it will get to a point where we will involve the community leaders and the communities, and probably associations. We will have the reason t invite you and discuss together.
“I want to point at something; you are aware that in the Northeast, we hear hunters rose up to the occasion to defend their communities against Boko Haram insurgents. And they are doing quite well,” calling the people of the Niger Delta region to adopt such positive attitudes.