By Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Wednesday said unless the Federal Government ensures equity in political appointments and fair distribution of social amenities, agitations will not cease.

He spoke during a visit by Executive Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), in Asaba, the state capital.

He said only fairness and equity in political appointments, projects and civil service could guarantee the loyalty of the people.

He urged other Nigerians to empathise with the plight of communities residing in the creeks, stressing that providing amenities for such communities is a huge task for his administration.

Okowa said: “Once there is a distortion in equity and fairness, you begin to see all manner of agitations.

“Nigeria is a multi-ethnic nation and there are lots and lots of agitations and we believe that with your office and the people who represent various zones in the Federal Character Commission, it is a well-thought-out plan to ensure that there is inclusive governance in our country.

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“I believe that is why the Commission was set up to ensure inclusive governance in the areas of appointment into the civil service, the political class and equity and fairness in the distribution of social amenities in the development of our nation.

“An implementation of these strategies will cause Nigerians to show loyalty to the nation and if at any point in time there is a distortion in the process of ensuring equity and fairness you begin to see people agitate.

“Agitations at one point in time tend to weaken us as a nation and it creates an environment that will not encourage development.

“As a state rich in oil resources, there is the view of the people that we ought to have more than we have today beyond our 13 per cent oil derivation.

“If you have an opportunity of going into the creeks, you will see that 40 per cent of Delta is actually in the creeks and if you have the opportunity of ever going there, you will see that there is a different Nigeria in them because where they live you will see that means of transportation are not there.”

FCC Chairman, Dr Muheeba Dankaka, saiey were in Delta to acquaint themselves with the realities in the state as part of the commission’s mandate.