Abuja—A delegation of the foremost Ijaw National Congress (INC), led by its President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba on Thursday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting which was convened to intimate President Buhari about the challenges and concerns of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, also had in attendance selected leaders and traditional rulers of Ijaw extraction.
While delivering his address, the INC
President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, highlighted the demand for true federalism, relocation of the headquarters of oil companies operating in Ijaw land to their areas of operation, the creation of two additional Ijaw states, among others.
Mangrovepen.ng gathered that the address also stated the opposition of the Ijaw nation to any secessionist agenda.
The address reads in part:
“It is imperative that the FGN compels all Oil and Gas companies in Nigeria to contribute 3% of their annual budget to funding the NDDC as prescribed in laws of the land. In the same vain, if the Ministry of Environment is directed by the Presidency to conduct immediate remediation of the massively despoiled Ijaw terrain and ensure strict compliance to international best practices in the operations of the IOCs, the issues of flagrant abuse of human and environmental rights of the people would have been addressed.
“An All-Ijaw summit is planned to hold soon to evaluate our unsavory treatments and crude exploitations over the years, the resolve to continue the stranglehold on the Ijaw people through more obnoxious laws (the water resources bill), and the continuous sacrifice as burden bearers, and to what extent the Nigerian nation has appreciated our sacrifices.
“Due to The level of frustration and disillusionment that has become wide – spread in our land as a result of mass poverty , neglect and underdevelopment, the consciousness of Ijaw nationalism has been reawakened and the cries for self-actualization reignited.
“As we speak, the Ijaws have no secessionist agenda and should the need arise, we are prepared to legally and peacefully negotiate that, but also as a distinct IJAW PEOPLE with ethno-linguistic, cultural affinity and geographic contiguity and not in part or full of any secessionist agenda.
“From Ibono, Oron through Bonny, Abua-Odual via the entire Bayelsa to Gele-Gele, Olodiama to Patani, Ogbe -Ijaw to Apoi, we are one indivisible Ijaw nation. Never conquered and by the special grace of God will remain unconquered.
“We have strong faith in the overall and mutual benefits of True Federalism and Resource control to the prosperity and stability of Nigeria. We seek the support of Mr. President in the restoration of Ijaw territory as a non-balkanized political and administrative federating unit(s) with the creation of two additional homogeneous Ijaw states: OIL RIVERS STATE and TORU-EBE STATE. The repeal of all obnoxious and discriminatory human and environmental (land and petroleum resources) policies and laws shall remain minimum prerequisite for our continuous commitment to the Nigerian project.
“Mr. President Sir, in the same manner that you directed the relocation of the Head Office of the Department of Petroleum Resources from Lagos to Abuja we seek your help to mandate the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to direct the relocation of the Head Quarters of all Oil companies to their operational basis in Ijaw Land and the Niger Delta region.
“The excuse of insecurity is no longer tenable for its common knowledge that nowhere in Nigeria is safer than the other. Secondly, the revamping of the major ports at Onne, Warri, Port Hracourt, Bonny etc will accelerate economic growth and reduce joblessness and youth criminality and contribute to National Unity and Stability.
“We also call on the FGN to fulfill its promise to the Ijaws to assist in their ownership and modular refineries as replacement for the ancillary refineries that will not only crate wealth and job but also bring about economic emancipation of the people.
“The East West Road project, that serves as the only link across the Niger Delta and conveys petroleum products from its main sources to other parts of the country have been ongoing for 15 years Mr. President Sir, we ask you to devote special funds and attention, like you did and still doing for the railways, second Niger Delta bridge, the Lagos Ibadan Express way all funded from Oil and Gas resources derived from our environment.”
More details soon…
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