AHEAD of their meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, tomorrow, strong indications emerged, yesterday, that elders, leaders and stakeholders of the Niger Delta Region have rejected the Federal Government’s move to launch a $10 billion (N4 trillion) infrastructural rebirth investment programme in the area.

The multi-trillion naira programme is part of the Short and Medium Term Priorities to Grow Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry (2015 to 2019), tagged the ‘7 BigWins’, a new initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Dismissing the proposal as a blackmail since there is no money to fund it, the Niger-Delta leaders said it is imperative to tell President Buhari that they are rejecting the move because it is private sector-driven with the aim of dragging the government into it.

“At the end of the day, other Nigerians will say why complain when you have $10 billion and the money is not there in the first place. If the companies have such money, they should pay the money owed the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, rather than blackmail the region with such money,” they said.

These are part of the issues that would be raised with President Buhari tomorrow. These were also some of the resolutions at the end of a meeting held at the residence of the convener, Chief Edwin Clark at his 43, Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja in the wee hours of Saturday.

Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, will lead about 46 traditional rulers, elders and leaders drawn from the academia, civil society, freedom fighters and ethnic nationalities of the six South-South states to meet President Buhari tomorrow.

The leaders said it would be blackmail for the people of the Niger Delta as they were not consulted before the decision was taken and announced, adding that the people should have been carried along and their inputs obtained because they know the problems of the region.

Canvassing a bottoms-up approach instead of a top-bottom strategy, the leaders noted that the people of the region are suffering from oil exploitation, while mining is going on in the North without anyone harassing the people.

The elders also urged President Buhari to jettison moves to change the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu, Delta State to a polytechnic, against the backdrop that the government did not consult with the people of the region.

The region is also seeking for a special Marshal plan for the Niger Delta, review of the amnesty programme and the need to have a ministerial department that will always be a platform for discussion by the people of the region.

Expected at the parley are the Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli; Obong of Calabar, Ekpo Abasi – Otu V; Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Major-General Felix Mujakperuo, retd; first Military Governor of old Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff; and His Royal Majesty, Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu among others.

Also to attend tomorrow’s meeting are former Akwa Ibom governor, Obong Victor Attah; Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, Professor G.G. Darah, Chief Timi Alaibe, Ambassador Godknows Igali, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Chief TKO Okorotie, Hon. Justice Francis Tabai, High Chief Mike Ekayama Loyibo, T.K. Ogoriba, High Chief Wellington Okirika, Chief Justice CET Ayama (retd), Dr. Alfred Mulade, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, MOSOP leader, Ledum Mitee, former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke; Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo; Brigadier Gen. Idada Ikponmwen, Senator Rowland Owie, Tony Uranta, Chief Dan Ikpebide and Senator Bassey Henshaw among others.

The elders and leaders at the meeting will engage the President on the need for Justice, equity, fairness, confidence-building and consultations with Niger-Delta people prior to taking decisions on their problems.

Other issues to be raised at the parley include the need for restructuring the country and the zone; implementation of the 2014 National Conference report, the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, appointments of board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC where membership must reflect oil producing areas, and the need to perfect the protocol of memorandum of understanding, MOU on the ceding of Bakassi, because if not addressed, the people of the area stand the risk of not having a country. The problem in Gbaramatu with military allegedly harassing the people would also be presented before the President. After tomorrow’s meeting, the elders and leaders will ask for an executive session with the President where meaningful discussions would take place.

In his remark at the meeting, Chief Clark, who noted that the issue of not having representatives to negotiate with government for Niger Delta people was gone, saying the people are ready for negotiation. He said if there were issues, the meeting will not be the last, adding that the people are one family, though they are from different communities.

The elder statesman, who stressed the need for unity of purpose, said the people were not fighting the President but wanted government to carry them along.

His words: “We are going to ask for justice, fairness and equity. We are going to tell him that he should dialogue with the people of the Niger Delta and that the use of force is not and cannot be a solution to the Niger Delta crisis.

“He is our President. We will pledge our loyalty to him. We will congratulate him on his election because this is the first time we are seeing him as a people since he won. We are not going to be submitting any long list of demands to him, but we will let him know the need for him to carry the people of Niger Delta along in his government. They should take us as a people who are part of Nigeria. We are not separating from Nigeria.

“It is obvious that the country requires true federalism to move forward. We will tell him that and that is the same thing other parts of the country are asking for. If there is true federalism, we will not have a case of states not being able to pay salaries or maintain themselves. Those (states) that cannot stand on their own will join others.

“Of course, we are going to talk to him about the need to develop Niger Delta. The problem is not lack of ideas on what should be done, the Mitee Technical Committee Report on Niger Delta in 2009 and others are there; the problem is lack of political will to develop the region.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/n-delta-leaders-reject-fgs-10bn-devt-package/

Let me just fold my hands and watch this drama. More free money for Clark and his cabals who have selling the birth rights of Niger Delta youth and unborn children.

FTC for sale at affordable price. Pm if interested

Supported, why is government nt using money frm the oil revenue to fund the 10bn dollars project. This is a scam and ND wont fall for it

Nigerians are difficult to please ooh.

in as much as I know the people of Niger delta region, give them d money and watch how they share it in town halls.this are people that are so used to the idea that money derived from there oil should be shared to them individually,infrastructure can wait for all they care..not all of them though. the river line youth of river state are the most lazy set of humans I have ever seen or heard of in my life.the port Harcourt ikwere has first class degree in laziness.. ikwere from other areas outside Port Harcourt are very hard working, the Echee, and the Ogonis are hard working..okrika,omoku ahuda,calabari very lazy...calabari and okrika are the worst..all there youth does is starch and iron there cloth..they gather them self's in compounds halls to discuss politics,watching carefully any rich guy that comes into the community will be hail with different tittles...chairmoooooo ...amayanabo...alawo..etc and he give them money which sometimes they end up fighting over it.Edwin Clark is an anointed criminal,..any Niger delta person that takes him serious is not serious himself...

Buahri no go hear all dis una big big grammar!

Which ear him wan take hear? Baa Turanci

He will only increase soldiers to ND creeks to keep looking for Tompolo and his gang to kill, molest and harass poor folks.... Shikena

Fulanis just need to lie to calm u.....in their hearts....na stone de dia

Just ask for FULL RESOURCE-CONTROL. Simple..

After all that's what we want....

“At the end of the day, other Nigerians will say why complain when you have $10 billion and the money is not there in the first place. If the companies have such money, they should pay the money owed the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, rather than blackmail the region with such money,” they said.

Niger delta elders want to reject a $10billion private sector led investment drive that will create millions of jobs for unemployed youths and fast track massive infrastructural development of the region. Instead, they want oil companies to put huge sums into NDDC so that corrupt politicians running the agency can continue to loot, mismanage and share the funds dasukistyle to these same greedy elders.

I hope the youths who will benefit in the long run from the $10billion investment programme can see through the greediness of the elders and embrace the initiative.

Another $10b shld be set aside for deve . . .

seunmsg:

“At the end of the day, other Nigerians will say why complain when you have $10 billion and the money is not there in the first place. If the companies have such money, they should pay the money owed the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, rather than blackmail the region with such money,” they said.

Niger delta elders want to reject a $10billion private sector led investment drive that will create millions of jobs for unemployed youths and fast track massive infrastructural development of the region. Instead, they want oil companies to put huge sums into NDDC so that corrupt politicians running the agency can continue to loot, mismanage and share the funds dasukistyle to these same greedy elders.

I hope the youths who will benefit in the long run from the $10billion investment programme can see through the greediness of the elders and embrace the initiative.

Which youths? The same youths that will come on here to support the greedy elders...I ve always known their fight is not for any infrastructure development, its for their pocket...smh..

Long story shirt, give us the money and put us in charge to loot and share as usual...

Did I hear rejecting $10bn development package

Who does that

Then I see militancy as their birth right and let nobody blame buhari when they are wiped out

Myopic Edwin Clark & co that's only after their pocket

ever811:
in as much as I know the people of Niger delta region, give them d money and watch how they share it in town halls.this are people that are so used to the idea that money derived from there oil should be shared to them individually,infrastructure can wait for all they care..not all of them though. the river line youth of river state are the most lazy set of humans I have ever seen or heard of in my life.the port Harcourt ikwere has first class degree in laziness.. ikwere from other areas outside Port Harcourt are very hard working, the Echee, and the Ogonis are hard working..okrika,omoku ahuda,calabari very lazy...calabari and okrika are the worst..all there youth does is starch and iron there cloth..they gather them self's in compounds halls to discuss politics,watching carefully any rich guy that comes into the community will be hail with different tittles...chairmoooooo ...amayanabo...alawo..etc and he give them money which sometimes they end up fighting over it.Edwin Clark is an anointed criminal,..any Niger delta person that takes him serious is not serious himself...

Edwin Clark is an anointed criminal? Look whether you like it or not he must head the team. Leave those talk for nineenth century. We don't need that money, we resources control!

seunmsg:

“At the end of the day, other Nigerians will say why complain when you have $10 billion and the money is not there in the first place. If the companies have such money, they should pay the money owed the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, rather than blackmail the region with such money,” they said.

Niger delta elders want to reject a $10billion private sector led investment drive that will create millions of jobs for unemployed youths and fast track massive infrastructural development of the region. Instead, they want oil companies to put huge sums into NDDC so that corrupt politicians running the agency can continue to loot, mismanage and share the funds dasukistyle to these same greedy elders.

I hope the youths who will benefit in the long run from the $10billion investment programme can see through the greediness of the elders and embrace the initiative.

we the youth need resources control. Simply! Go with money.. !

The natural course of events suggests people grow wiser as they grow older- why in Jesus' gracious name does that seem like a fallacy when some people are involved??

They are upset because the money would come from other sources where they have quite limited access. What does it matter if government or private investors' money is being used to, say, construct a road?? No be the same road e go still be?? "Through NDDC" my foot!!

The same NDDC that was only able to complete just about 12% of it's projects over 5years while they had already made payments of approximately 80% to contractors!!

These elders are the major beneficiaries of the sleaze going on in such places, hence their insistence that monies meant for the region be channelled through them. The so called elders of the region are the worst enemies of that region.

How far with the Ogoni clean up? FG and their blackmail.

Abeg which season b dis

I am tired...

FG want to blackmail the Niger Deltans. FG want to promise what it cannot give.

If the NDDC is owed money then the FG should do the needful..but elders should fight for something more sustainable..

And I keep wondering why this present FG likes to present plans about the niger delta without consulting core niger deltans and stakeholders??..

This is one thing that has caused so much rift between this administration and the niger delta..

ever811:
in as much as I know the people of Niger delta region, give them d money and watch how they share it in town halls.this are people that are so used to the idea that money derived from there oil should be shared to them individually,infrastructure can wait for all they care..not all of them though. the river line youth of river state are the most lazy set of humans I have ever seen or heard of in my life.the port Harcourt ikwere has first class degree in laziness.. ikwere from other areas outside Port Harcourt are very hard working, the Echee, and the Ogonis are hard working..okrika,omoku ahuda,calabari very lazy...calabari and okrika are the worst..all there youth does is starch and iron there cloth..they gather them self's in compounds halls to discuss politics,watching carefully any rich guy that comes into the community will be hail with different tittles...chairmoooooo ...amayanabo...alawo..etc and he give them money which sometimes they end up fighting over it.Edwin Clark is an anointed criminal,..any Niger delta person that takes him serious is not serious himself...

my brother,you really know these people very well....
I was born and brought up in porthacourt,,,to say d truth.., those people are really lazy, even if you give them d whole money and oil well in d country, they will end up fighting and squanderising d money..,they are not and never united,,they are just united for a common goal which is OIL....their leaders are too corrupt, very very corrupt,.

What package did their hero do for them,? They are only interested in the money. No development, they need lack of development to blackmail any government to give them more money.

seunmsg:

“At the end of the day, other Nigerians will say why complain when you have $10 billion and the money is not there in the first place. If the companies have such money, they should pay the money owed the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, rather than blackmail the region with such money,” they said.

Niger delta elders want to reject a $10billion private sector led investment drive that will create millions of jobs for unemployed youths and fast track massive infrastructural development of the region. Instead, they want oil companies to put huge sums into NDDC so that corrupt politicians running the agency can continue to loot, mismanage and share the funds dasukistyle to these same greedy elders.

I hope the youths who will benefit in the long run from the $10billion investment programme can see through the greediness of the elders and embrace the initiative.

Afonja hypocrite. You only choose matters to discuss.


Lagos and Abuja that assumed and is capital territory respectively didn't attract private investors for infrastructural development, how much more NigerDelta Region.


Lagos and Abuja have been developed with funds and commitment from the Federal government, why then should the region laying the proverbial golden eggs wait for eternity for development all in the name of waiting fro private infrastructual development.



Are private entities not in business to make profit any longer ? When did private sector start giving and establishing public goods the government provides ?



I can bet my life that it was an afonja that came up with this idea of 10billion dollars infrastructural development from private investors because you guys are perfect in blackmailing and deceitful, just like ur fallen angel Oduduwa.


You were even specific with the amount as if you have discussed with the investors and have agreed to have them invest 10 billion dollars with the business friendly environment you have provided for them.


I wonder who invests in a militarised environment. Afonjas should keep destroying Buhari's government with propaganda and lies.



One is sure, wise men from the East will continue to be their nightmaress.

lustychima:
Did I hear rejecting $10bn development package

Who does that

Then I see militancy as their birth right and let nobody blame buhari when they are wiped out

Myopic Edwin Clark & co that's only after their pocket

Pls which 10 billion dollars are u talking about ? The one that is a propaganda or another ? Where on Earth does private sector produce public goods for a region ? Or has private sector began calculating cost before profits ?

You are developing North and West with Nigerdelta petrodollars while you want them to wait for private investors no one can confirm where and when you agreed with them for 10 billion dollars investment.


Why don't the FG map out a five years plan just to develop NigerDelta by herself at least to appease these people feeding the nation even if it will be at the expense of others not receiving any major development for that period of five years ?


We are yet to receive the ones you promised during campaign andd u are coming up again with another promise. What do u all take us fro ? Zombies ?

Naira is not yet eqaul to dollar, now u have come again with private investors producing public goods for a region.

Yoruba and fulanis, una well done oo.

mokaflex:
Nigerians are difficult to please ooh.

Niger Deltans and their cousins the Igbos you mean.

That's how my 9ja delta people rejected a trailer load of rice to be brought into a very popular market in d oil rich city.......

God take control of our personal greed

omoyowa:



my brother,you really know these people very well....
I was born and brought up in porthacourt,,,to say d truth.., those people are really lazy, even if you give them d whole money and oil well in d country, they will end up fighting and squanderising d money..,they are not and never united,,they are just united for a common goal which is OIL....their leaders are too corrupt, very very corrupt,.

that's one of the curse of oil..

Besides are you hard working

The list of those involved gives me hope that a true and lasting solution shall be achieved. It is left for them to sofr pedal a bit on demands while Government on their own give considerable attention to their demands. Gid bless Niger Delta and Nigeria.

Sealeddeal:
FG want to blackmail the Niger Deltans. FG want to promise what it cannot give.

meanwhile true federalism is right in front of them..

OK

now dis is wat i call smart thinking. nice one from niger delta elders. resource control is d ONLY solution.
only niger deltans can develop niger delta, n d only way to do dat is resource control.