IJAWS of the Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have said that President Muhammadu Buhari does not deserve the relative peace being enjoyed in the region.
They said the peace was brought about by the people’s resolve not to take the path of violence, but warned that the resolution should not be taken for granted.
Chief Godspower Gbenekama of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council, while reacting to the president’s broadcast on Tuesday, insisted that the Federal Government has done nothing to deserve the peace that has brought about increase in crude oil production.
The Tamaraukuro Driver (Aruzouwei) and Fiyewei of Gbaramatu kingdom, averred that credit for the peace being enjoyed should go to the Niger Delta people and not the FG.
He said: “Talking about peace, the present administration has not done anything to warrant the peace that is being enjoyed in the country.
“It is the resolve of the leaders of Niger Delta to ensure that they prevailed on the younger generation, who are agitated about the deliberate and provocative neglect, to see the reason why they must keep the peace.
“The peace is brought about by the people’s resolve not to take the path of violence. But this resolve should not be taken for granted.”
The Ijaw chief averred that the touted increase in crude oil production from 1.8mbpd to 2.9mbpd since January has had no direct impact on the people of the Niger Delta.
President Buhari had, in the broadcast, told the world that “The Niger Delta Region has enjoyed relative peace through social inclusiveness and cooperation of the elders and the good people of the region.
“Government is committed to implementing the comprehensive peace, security and development plan for the region.
“The environmental clean-up of the region which commenced with the launch in Bodo, Ogoni in June 2016 is progressing satisfactorily.
“Furthermore farming assets are being revived and investors in cocoa and palm oil plantations are showing serious interest.”
Chief Gbenekama opined that even though the Federal Government was thrilled by the current boom from the crude oil production, the hen that lays the golden egg has not been availed a commensurate ration to stem poverty and privation in the region.
“Increased crude oil production from the Niger Delta has never impacted on the people of Niger Delta at all.
“It looks as if we are not part of this country, or else, how would you justify the present neglect of the Niger Delta by this present administration?
“Can anybody explain the reason for this present administration’s attitude of abandoning projects that would have helped reduce the neglect and going to the North to struggle to find crude?
“Or why is the administration spending so much money to transport gas for its project when there is abundant gas deposits in the Niger Delta?
“Come to think of it, what is this administration doing about the twin Ogidigben Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and the Gbaramatu Deep Seaport projects?
“Why did the present administration abandon such laudable projects which would have gotten raw materials without stress and went for a terrorist-infested North East to prospect for oil at this time?” the fiery activist query.
On Buhari’s fight against corruption, the Gbaramatu chief said it was one-sided and a ploy to muzzle the opposition.
“That the fight against corruption is one-sided is no more news. The dimension it has taken is to stifle the opposition to submission. There is more to it than meets the eye.
“Too many sacred cows in the ruling party as far as this fight on corruption is concerned, while the agencies go after perceived enemies,” he alleged.
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