Csos, led by one love foundation and other major Stakeholders from the numerous oil producing communities of Edo State and other oil producing states in a joint press conference on 2nd august 2022 in abuja have asked a former militant leader and Commander of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND),High chief Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, who was awarded a N48bn pipeline surveillance contract by the Federal Government to reach out to them for synergy,collaboration in the recent award of pipeline surveillance and protection of the oil pipelines across the Niger Delta in general.
The stakeholders, comprising of seasoned csos, environmental and rights activists and other south south Nigeria groups, called out chief Tompolo, stated it is very crucial that either tompolo or the Federal government reaches out to them, if the federal government is sure of it's policy of inclusiveness as it relates to Niger delta and it's affairs.
The csos ,speaking through Chief Dr Patrick Osagie Eholor of one love foundation better known as Ultimate Equals as the head of the csos, they argued that violence, theft or pipeline destruction could happen in any part of Niger Delta, and disrupt the flow of crude and affect the economy.
Eholor in his argument, stated that stakeholders in Edo State and Niger delta region in particular would work in harmony with the FG and Tompolo in order to secure the pipelines.
Chief Patrick eholor further stated "I am surprised that the whole security apparatus of this country has failed us. Be it army, navy, air force, police or civil defence, they have not been patriotic to this country, they have failed us woefully, abysmally in defence of our common wealth.
He further stated"Without trying to use an offensive word for High chief Govt Tompolo, who is also from the old Bendel state like me, I am surprised that because the whole system has failed, they have to revert back to a man they were fighting as millitant. He now has to be the one providing the security to checkmate the pipelines, at N4billion per month and N48billion per year.
"Now the question is, is it only in Delta State they have petroleum and other crude oil products?that should be assigned to chief Govt tompolo. We have oil in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Imo, even Anambra and our own Edo State.
"Using Edo State as a classic example , chief Patrick eholor further stated that we have in crude oil in Orhionwhon, Ologbo, Gelegele just to mention a few. As a matter of fact, the one at Gelegele area was discovered the year I was born, 1964.
"Fortunately or unfortunately, that was the year ,the crude oil was discovered and we the Niger delta people have been suffering since, despite the presence of oil on our lands in Nigeria.
"They are flaring gas there, our children are suffering disabilities, older ones are suffering diseases like cataract and others caused by reactions from the crude.
"Bitter enough, those who don't know where the oil is located, are the ones enjoying the common wealth from oil.
"That's why this fight is difficult, to fight my own brother chief govt Tompolo ,whom they recognised and gave him the contract to manage, control, supervise and reduce cases of oil theft in delta state and parts of niger delta region.
"While I commend the Federal Government because they understood that they lack the strenght to manage the security and gave it to Chief Tompolo, and while I congratulate Chief Tompolo for getting the contract, he should know that other areas of Niger delta region also have pipelines. He needs to carry everybody along in the entire oil producing states of Nigeria.
We Niger delta people. We are not violent people, we are very educated people, we are very smart, and we are also every courageous people.
Our csos ,stakeholders and other are ready to work with fg and with him ,High Chief govt tompolo to also make sure that we protect the pipelines that run through Edo State and all through the Niger Delta region.
"But if Chief govt Tompolo and Federal Government refuses to reach out to us,every major stakeholders ,bodies, and csos from the Niger delta region of Nigeria,they we no other options than to seek the path of justice and law courts,in other to interprete the relevant sections of our different laws, as a legitimate means to stop this discriminatory policy in Nigeria delta region of Nigeria. Because I see this thing as a welfare system where you know that some ethnic groups have suffered a lot, you know they are unemployed, you want to release money so that each and every one ,shall also enjoy inclusion in fg and govermental policy.
"So we are also appealing to the Federal govt on the need for governmental inclusion,what we are by this , seeking for in Niger delta region is going to create jobs for our teeming youths whom the government have neglected, unemployed, and who have been suffering to earn a decent living and care for their aged parents, and care for their families.
"But as a group, we the csos and stakeholders do not support violence, but the csos and stakeholders won't hesitate to tell the government that we cannot be discriminated against, and that one section will not be encouraged and the others neglected.
We want to be patriotic, we want to respect the rule of law. That doesn't mean we are collectively stupid in issues that concern Niger delta.
"So we urge High chief Government Tompolo and fg to reach out to the major stakeholders when it comes to the issue of Nigerian and Niger Delta affairs.
"We are all part of the oil producing areas.
"We are confident that if we all work together, the pipelines will be better protected, and oil theft will end, and our naira will gain strength, and our economy will bounce back. Inflation will disappear and everybody will enjoy Nigeria", Eholor stated in the press release on behalf of csos.
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