….. says Akpabio remains a reformer, political juggernaut in Niger Delta
A globally renowned security expert and political analyst, Jackson Lekan-ojo, has faulted one of the demands of Renewed Niger Delta Avengers, in which they called on the Federal Government to stop the Minister of Niger Delta from presenting 2021 budget for Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC).
Recall that the group, recently in a statement that went viral had made some demands as condition for sustainable peace in the region, which include preventing the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, from presenting budget of NDDC for 2021 fiscal year.
Lekan-ojo, during a press conference in Abuja, over the weekend frowned at such demand, describing it as an error on the part of the group, adding that such action would spell doom for the region and the people at large.
He, explained that while other demands of the group are laudable and commendable, the 4th demand, which clamoured for stoppage of NDDC budget is dangerous, as it is barbaric.
The security expert opined that it would be a double jeorpady for the people of Niger Delta, considering the fact that NDDC, as an intervention agency did not have any budget for the year 2020, which has slowed down developmental projects in the region in no small way.
Lekan-ojo alleged that the injection of the 4th demand into the several logical demands of the agitators was a tactical move by political gladiators from the zone to frustrate reforms presently going on at the NDDC, and covertly attack the Minister, Chief Godswill Akpabio, who he described as a courageous reformer and patriotic leader.
He then called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore such call, imploring him to instead jack up allocations to the region quickly, to halt violent agitations that could lead to acute reduction in the revenue accruing from the sales of crude oil generating from the region.
” In as much as I agree with the demands of Renewed Niger Delta Avengers, on the way forward to accelerate development in the region, I totally disagree with their fourth demand, such demand, if carried out would be too disastrous for the region and it’s people.
“If NDDC is prevented from presenting it’s budget for the year 2021, what it means is that the region have been deprived of developmental projects for the whole 365 days.
“Taking cognizance of the fact that the agency has no budget for the year 2020, it also implies that the Niger Delta would be loosing two years budget and allocations, the situation that is dangerously inimical to the growth and development of the region.
“It is indeed very disheartening that NDDC remains only agency of government that did not have budget for the year 2020, because of selfish interests of some people; ironically, this is the agency that takes care of the goose that lays the golden egg, unfortunately, the goose is left to languish in misery and abject poverty”, he exclaimed.
He further said the main reason why President Buhari appointed Akpabio as the Minister in charge of Niger Delta affairs was to replicate his developmental skill he brought to bear as Governor in Akwaibom state in the Ministry, and sanitize agencies like NDDC under it.
“President Buhari understands the fact that when a performer and dogged reformer like Akpabio oversees the Ministry of Niger Delta, the region will be transformed and agitations would be reduced to the bearest minimum to pave way for functional activities in the upstream sector of the oil industry, and increase revenue accruing to the coffer of the government.
“We all know that the ongoing fight is not specifically against the NDDC, it is a predetermined war against Akpabio, by some satanic political leaders from the region who were stopped from committing monumental fraud at the NDDC; those who will collect billions of naira to execute projects but will never step their toes on the site after being mobilized hundred percent.
“Those are the people that sneaked in the 4th demand of the Renewed Niger Delta Avengers, they are angry that it is no more business as usual under Akpabio”, Jackson-ojo alleged .
He continued :” I hereby enjoin the Federal Government to quickly call on the Ministry of Niger Delta to present its budget with that of NDDC included, and increase allocations to the region for accelerated developmental projects without delay.
“Also, the budget of NDDC for the 2020 fiscal year should be included in it’s budget for 2021; the President should know that NDDC as an intervention agency must not be allowed to be grounded, if we all desire peace in the Niger Delta region, the agency remains the blood that runs in the vein of that region, it must not be grounded.
” I want senators and all members of House of Representatives from the nine Niger Delta states, to rise up and speak for the good of the region”.
