By Ovie Okpare
A former National Chairman of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCOM) and paramount ruler of Siembiri kingdom in Delta State, King (Dr) Charles Ayemi Botu, has lamented that selfish politicians in the Niger Delta have hijacked the interventionist agency, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The Ijaw monarch also said Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) had equally been hijacked by greedy politicians in Delta State with funds meant for the development of oil and gas producing communities wasted.
King Ayemi Botu lamented the sorry state of affairs in the Niger Delta and Delta during a thanksgiving service at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Okpokunou, Burutu LGA, to mark his 73rd birthday and 27th coronation anniversary.
The vocal monarch also called for a conference of ethnic nationalities in the country to review the unity and togetherness of Nigeria, stressing that the country is currently divided along ethnic lines.
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He charged Nigerians to speak out against the unhealthy state of Nigeria which has been characterised by insecurity, corruption and nepotism.
King Ayemi-Botu, “The state of our beloved country, especially the Niger Delta region should be of great concern to every well-meaning Nigerians. The problem was caused by massive corruption, avarice, nepotism, winner-takes-all syndrome, bigotry and ethno-religious dimension, that is being perpetrated by political leaders both at federal and state government to their selfish ends and detriment of those who elected them.”
The royal father alleged that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief Godswill Akpabio as minister of Niger Delta Affairs was making mockery of NDDC which the people of the region fought gallantly to be created.
The former TROMPCOM boss while stating that the situation is not with DESOPADEC, he noted that few individuals have hijacked the Delta interventionist agency for their selfish ends.
According to him, he was in the forefront for the agitation for the creation of 13% derivation fund, the NDDC and DESOPADEC, stressing that what is happening in the two interventionist agencies was not what the people bargained for.
“The law passed by the Delta State House of Assembly made the derivation fund 50/50. The government has 50% and the oil Producing communities 50% of the 13%. Despite this legal document, contractors are not paid for jobs executed, ongoing jobs abandoned since 2018 and no new jobs awarded, undermining the fact that Delta State is the highest in oil production.
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“For NDDC, it is unfortunate that Mr President decided to allow Akpabio to be messing up with the interventionist agency. Unhealthy politics has enveloped the Commission.
“The federal and state Interventionist agencies of NDDC and DESOPADEC are to alleviate and provide food and shelter to the age long, grossly marginalized people of oil-bearing communities.
“Some persons are now carting away same funds, using their political might to control the oil wealth at their whims and caprices hence the unending call to restructure Nigeria without further delay”, King Ayemi-Botu stated.
Speaking further on the current state of Nigeria, “Sir Lord Frederick Lugard’s one hundred years Treaty (1914 to 2014) that Amalgamated the Northern and Southern Protectorates that metamorphosed as Nigeria has gone to oblivion since 2014.
“Basically, there is no foundation to remain as a federation because the treaty has not been renewed that is why there is absolutely urgent need to convoke a sovereign national conference which Jonathan failed to act upon. Nigeria is presently standing on a sandy soil and bound to collapse anytime”.
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“In anticipation of 2014 expiring date of treaty, It is on record that due to the precarious political situation in Nigeria, I made a press statement in 2012 calling on the then President Goodluck Jonathan to convoke a Sovereign National Conference of all ethnic nationalities to redefine the destiny of Nigeria, either to remain as one entity or not, since the Lord Lugard’s doctored treaty will end in 2014. To my greatest surprise he rebuffed my wise counseling due to lack of foresight”.
“Although at the twilight of Jonathan’s Administration in 2014, it dawned on him to dream of a National Conference which was consigned to the dustbin by his successor President Buhari. But today Jonathan is being judged by posterity for his ineptitude.
“No wonder in the recent debate he differed by saying that restructuring alone is not the solution to the myriad of problems in Nigeria but suffice to say that it is the key and hallmark to a lasting peace and in addition it is the kernel and foundation of America’s Presidential System of Government which Constitution we imported but not being practice to the later.”
