The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Activist

  • Activist blames low generation for Edo outages

    Civil society activist Rev Olu Martins has explained to residents of communities in Egor, Benin, Edo State that the reason for power outages is that the Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) is facing challenges due to the inability of generation companies (GenCos) to supply adequate electricity for domestic and industrial needs.

    Rev Martins, who disclosed this at a town hall meeting in Ugbowo, said power has become a major challenge in Nigeria with less than 5,000 megawatts (Mw) for a population of 170 million,  stressing that the current energy output of 1,500Mw is a reflection of the perennial energy crisis that is yet to be addressed.

    He stated that the power sector has been starved with investment since 1984 whereas the country has increased in population and infrastructure, adding that current operators of BEDC spent huge amount of money to purchase the company and “it is only natural for them to get their returns on investment and equally make profit, hence they are to give services only to those who will pay for it.”

    The civil society activist noted that government was not subsiding electricity or any point of the power value chain – generation, transmission or distribution, stressing that power is no longer a social but commercial commodity, and its price is determined by the forces of demand and supply.

    Martins, who supported the recent tariff review which saw a slight increase in tariff and removal of fixed charge, urged communities to manage their consumption by switching off appliances when not in use.

    Also Fidelis Obishai noted that the quantum of energy supplied to BEDC from the national grid was barely sufficient more so with the system collapses experienced along the value chain and urged customers to pay for the little energy they get.

    “BEDC is here to distribute electricity and collect revenue. With a customer base of 750,000 in our coverage states, we need 2,600Mw but we only get 320Mw, which means we don’t have enough to distribute.

    “BEDC is not punishing anybody through inadequate supply but resorted to load management to ensure that all customers get a feel of what is given to us,” Obishai stated.

    Obishai lamented that BEDC has not been able to collect money to the tune of the amount it pays for the cost of power, saying that customers should strive to pay whatever little they were getting to enable BEDC honour obligation to various tiers of the value chain.

    Responding to customers questions on staff impersonation and vandalism, the Edo State chief head, Obishai said that BEDC has concluded plans to issue out uniforms for linesmen and technical staffers to discourage the scourge of impersonation and illegal connection within the network.

  • Kidnappers need activist lawyers too

    SIR: The vehement castigation of President Muhammadu Buhari on account of violation of the fundamental rights of corrupt suspects is spurious as it is suspicious.

    The activist lawyers some in the ranking of Senior Advocate of Nigeria would always use the legal wisecrack that underscores the innocence of any suspect until such suspect is proven guilty to castigate the president.

    One is left in stitches by the activists’ use of the arrest and subsequent release of the PDP Publicity Secretary to upbraid the president.

    It is easy to notice a wide variance between activism bequeathed by the likes of late Gani Fawehinmi and the current suspicious template where the so-called activists would rather queue behind corrupt individuals to offer legal services.

    One then wonders why none of these activists have considered it apropos to render the same service in defence of kidnappers and the armed robbers whose fundamental human rights are also at stake.

    Gani Fawehinmi of blessed memory would not defend corrupt individuals against the state.

    The constitutional provision that allows individuals to enforce their fundamental rights against EFCC and challenge any detention without trial is enough to insulate the president from any blame traceable to the discretional powers of EFCC.

    As we speak, most individuals currently being prosecuted by the EFCC have their freedoms unabridged.

    The unwarranted vituperations against the president in the name of activism have more political coloration than a patriotic inclination to radicalism as it were.

    The truth is that the kidnappers and other malefactors have not committed any offence worse than those orthodox with the celebrated corrupt individuals, but the incestuous possession of stolen funds by corrupt individuals is a big attraction to our pernicious activists.

    • Bukola Ajisola,

    Victoria Island, Lagos.

  • Activist advocates people-friendly policies

    Activist advocates people-friendly policies

    A human rights activist and founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Comrade Linus Ezeala Okoroji has implored Nigerains to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari in finding solutions to the country’s problems.

    Okoroji, Chief Executive Officer, Humanity Services Project (HSP), spoke during his 65th birthday lecture held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multi-purpose Hall at Layeni on Ojo Road Ajegunle Lagos.

    Speaking on the theme “Good Governance and Delivery of Democratic Dividend: Role of the Civil Society,” Okoroji said it was worrisome that the elite have not fashioned out what he called “home-grown economic theories that will be peculiar to and suited to our own environment”. He noted that 30 years after Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida introduced the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) with the International Monetary Fund IMF/World Bank Loan conditionalities, no home-grown solution have been our economic woes”.

    Regretting that 16 years after democracy, economists have continued to promote these IMF/World Bank theories, Okoroji said: “What type of economic elite do we have in Nigeria and Africa? Over 30  years ago, the military dictatorship of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd) imposed the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) with the full complements of the famous and vehemently rejected IMF/World Bank loan conditionality on Nigerians. That programme has continued to endanger our economy by producing a few extremely rich, while the majority live in extreme poverty.

    “The economic policies were based on devaluation of the Naira, privatisation, deregulation of the down-stream oil sector, retrenchment/down-sizing and liberalisation of imports. After 16 years of civilian democracy, I expected that, through experience and research, our economic elite should have designed or developed indigenous or home-grown economic theories that will be peculiar to and suited to our own environment.”

    On the need to give Nigerians an authentic, masses-generated constitution which would rightly be described as Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Comrade Okoroji suggested that the current 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) should be properly reviewed by the people before it could become “a real people’s constitution”.

    He said: “Immediately the military takes over the reigns of government, the first thing it does is to abolish and throw away the constitution of the people. How do Nigerians still believe in Decree 24 of 1998 promulgated by General Abdulsalami Abubakar as the 1999 Federal Constitution of Nigeria and yet expect stability?

    “It is widely known that the military leadership for whatever reason(s), instructed at the back page of the famous decree 24 of 1998, that it should be converted to be the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when they leave office. Something needs to be done urgently to address this anomaly in our Constitution, in order to resolve the national question, which is creating societal upheavals.

    On the role of the civil society groups, Comrade Okoroji said their objective is to articulate or provoke an engagement of the Nigerian government at the federal, state and local levels to energise a synergy between the governments and the civil society toward the realisation of good governance and delivery of democratic dividends to majority of Nigerians.

    “There should be a deliberate effort to provide funds for civil society groups to enable them to play their vital role as the voice of the people in educating, mobilising and organising the people,” he said.

    Appreciating the contributions of Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu, (rtd), Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Akinrogun of Egba land, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Mr John Odion, Mr Shina Loremikan, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, former Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Hon. Wahab Adigun, the Secretary of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area, among others, he said: “These are worthy Nigerians who believe in the Nigerian project. We should emulate them.”

  • Activist urges govt on health care delivery

    Activist urges govt on health care delivery

    A founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Comrade Linus Ezeala Okoroji has appealed to the federal, states and local governments to give priority attention to the nation’s health sector, with a view to improving the quality of health care delivery to the citizens. He also advocated a policy that would reduce the cost of accessing health care by poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

    Comrade Okoroji spoke after a church thanksgiving service at St Matthew’s Catholic Church, Maiyegun-Oro Street, Amukoko Lagos State penultimate Sunday. The event was organised by members of his family, friends and well-wishers to thank God and celebrate his survival of grave accident he had in Oshogbo, Osun State in January, last year.

    The activist maintained that there was urgent need to improve the equipment and standards of treatments at our hospitals, even as he canvassed strong support to states and local governments that campaign to ban or reduce the operations of motorcycle operators, popularly called okada.

    He said: “I support the initiative of the Lagos State Government and any other state in Nigeria to restrict the use of okada as means of transportation on our highways. The use of okada as a means of transportation demeans the dignity of our citizens. It is not only an extremely dangerous means of transportation but also that which is fraught with high rate of death occasioned by serious accidents resulting from undisciplined behaviours among okada operators.”

    Speaking from experience, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Humanity Services Project (HSP) noted that “having been a victim of okada accident for which we are thanking God today for saving my life, I will not wish my ‘enemy’ boards an okada to anywhere and from anywhere. After the accident, I was taken to the Government House Clinic for first aid, thereafter transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi in Lagos where I was hospitalised for six months.  I underwent four surgery operations while on admission.

    “It was an opportunity for me to witness firsthand the ugly experience of many poor Nigerians on health care issues. In spite of my horrific situation, I had no choice than to turn a ‘philanthropist on bed’, out of the generosity of Governors Rauf Aregbesola, Babatunde Raji Fashola, friends and well-wishers, as I supported many co-patients who were not able to meet the payment of their bills and purchase recommended drugs.

    “My bills were very enormous as treatment at the hospital was very expensive. Governors Aregbesola and Fashola had to pick all my bills at Igbobi Hospital.

    My mentor; Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd) deserves special appreciation as he visited me several times at Igbobi and kept close tab on my condition. God bless them and all who supported me through my trying period.”

  • Man in court over rights activist’s death

    The Lagos State Government yesterday arraigned Seun Oladapo in court for the alleged murder of a rights activist and community leader, Kunle Fadipe.

    Oladapo was arraigned before Justice Atinuke Ipaye of the Ikeja High Court in Lagos.

    He is standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on murder, robbery and assault occasioning harm.

    Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs Idowu Alakija said the offence contravened Sections 221, 295 (2)(a) and 171 of the Criminal Law.

    The charge reads: “That you Oluwaseun Oladapo on the 4th day of July 2014 at about  0300hr at 1, Harmony Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Iju Lagos in the Ikeja Judicial Division whilst armed with an offensive weapon to wit a knife did rob one Kunle Fadipe of a large sum of money and murdered him by stabbing him severally on numerous parts of the body”.

    The defendant was also charged with the murder of one Cecilia Owolabi; the assault of one Abiola Owolabi and Folahanmi Fadipe.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    The defence counsel, Worer Obuagbaka, informed the court that he got the file not too long ago and pleaded with the court to allow him to go through it.

    ”The proof of evidence was served on me this morning less than an hour ago. My perusal of the proof of evidence showed that there was an autopsy report attached. This is a serious offence and the defendant needs adequate time to prepare for the trial.”

    Mrs Alakija said the prosecution was prepared to go on with the case adding that two of its witnesses were in court.

    Ruling, Justice Ipaye said the defence should be given ample time to prepare for the trial.

    She adjourned the case till August 17 and 18.

    Fadipe was stabbed to death on July 4 last year.

  • NOSDRA only effective on paper, says activist

    NOSDRA only effective on paper, says activist

    Comrade Sheriff Mulade is the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice, an NGO in the forefront of the fight for end to pollution and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta. In this interview with SHOLA O’NEIL, he speaks on why the fight against illegal is difficult to win and why communities are handicap in their battle with oil multinationals on oil spills.

    That are the challenges of environmental advocacy in the Niger Delta?

    We have been at the fore of the fight to stop illegal bunkering because the entire ecosystem has been drastically affected by oil exploration. This has also affected the livelihood of the people and the challenges are enormous because: One, the people whose their environments are bastardised don’t know the effect of what is happening in their environment; two, some of the challenges are from the security agents, like the JTF, assigned to the Niger Delta. They are those we rely on and hope to work with in one way or the other, but they are partially involved in illegal activities. Therefore, you find it very difficult to work with the security agencies. If you do, your life will be in danger because some persons inside the security outfit will expose you to the illegal bunkering operators and you become a target.

    Also, the government merely pays lip services to the environmental issues. There are multiple organisations and agencies all doing the same issue. Look at NESDRA, NOSDRA and look at the Ministry of Environment; all of them have different penalties and laws for pollutants. We are advocating that there should be one commission or agency regulating the entire process so that if any of the IOCs or any pollutant is involved, we will have the right channels to take them to.

    Sometimes when we tackle the pollutants, especially multinational agencies, on the extent of damage and cause of a spill with NOSDRA, the pollutant will move straight to NESDRA or the Ministry of Environment and the ministry will use its power to bypass NOSDRA and that will be the end of it. So, we want one regulatory body rather than duplication of agencies because they are conflicting as it is now.

     

    DO you think that having one agency as suggested will stop the problem, when the Ministry of Environment is under the government, which is in fact a pollutant by virtue of its stake in the Joint Venture Partnership?

     

    If government must be involved in the oil industry, it should be involved in the revenue end. But in the area of pollution, NOSDRA and the other agencies should be independent to work and be able to bring the FG to bear. We have that problem, for example there is a spill in Bayelsa where the House of Representatives and NOSDRA instructed that Shell should pay a certain amount of money, but because of the government’s involvement in the penalty payment, the government took no action. That is why we are saying the agency should be one and there should be independent.

    There are also communities making allegation of connivance between the agencies and IOCs in shortchanging the locals…

    Yes, that is true! Because the International Oil Companies have resources and the logistics, NOSDRA has become a tool in their hands. When there is a spill, there is what is called the Joint Investigation Visit team comprising the community, NOSDRA and the multinationals to ascertain the cause of the spill. But the irony is that oil multinational provides logistics, light refreshment and ‘transport allowance’ to those doing the investigation. What do you expect to come out of the JIV? At the end of the day, the JIV would be tailored towards ‘Third Party’ interference, which removes liability from the oil companies, even though the companies have lots of obsolete and constantly failing facilities that lead to spill.

    Again, NOSDRA staff are contractors to the multinationals and that is why most of the equipment failures are blamed on illegal bunkering and third party intervention because the company has seen a cheap way to avoid payment of compensations and carrying out proper cleanup. The communities have no power to lobby in the face of the Nigerian problem of corruption. The judiciary has also failed the common man.

     

    You claim that NOSDRA staff are contractors to oil multinationals, can you expatiate on your claim?

     

    Yes, I said so and it is true. When I say NOSDRA and other agencies involved in the area of environment are contractors, I know what I am saying. It may show that I don’t have evidence to substantiate this, but in Nigeria when someone is a contractor and those of us involved know what we are talking about. There is an instance where a NOSDRA official, let me not quote an office, is involved in recommending a contractor for cleanup, he is involved in recommending a particular firm. He accredited and recommended the cleanup contractor, saying ‘this company is competent and reliable’. If you investigate, that contractor is in alliance with that particular official in the agency. Is that staff not a contractor?

    NOSDRA, as an agency from the past couple of years, is only effective on papers and documents. With their mandate, we have not seen much from NOSDRA and we are highly disappointment in it. They are only serious in Abuja where there is no spill. I don’t expect the head office of NOSDRA to be in Abuja; doing what? The Director Operation, Spill is also in Abuja and he would wait for his foot-soldiers to get information to him there before he can act. They are supposed to be in Warri, PH or Yenagoa.

    Various workshops have highlighted how illicit wealth made from bunkering is distorting the leadership structure in the communities; some say most communities have been coerced into supporting the criminals

    Most of the illegal bunkerers, who are illiterates, have become key figures in our local politics up to the state and federal levels, not just in communities. I have carried out a study and realized that the amount of violence you perpetuate will determine your level of recognition in the Niger Delta. Through the illegality, if you are well positioned, you get recognition from government and you start making money. There is no longer hard work or determination to make an impact in the society. What you see is how to make it. Every young man wants to make it in their early 20s, 30s without any preparation and education is no longer the key. That is why I urge Buhari not to compromise his integrity for us to have a better environment.

     

    How can the communities help when illegal bunkering gangs are now the rulers and leaders of several communities?

     

    I agree that they have so much money now, but if government can take action, the money will drain off within months because bunkerers are criminals and for them to sustain the level of affluence they need steady supply of money. They are like armed robbers; they don’t invest. If government strangulates their source of funding and stop bunkering they will lose control and eventually normalcy will return.

  • Activist hails reversal of AIT ban

    “We all know that the media have not lived up to expectations. Some of them have been reckless and unprofessional in the discharge of their duties. The media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm should set an agenda. What were the issues in the elections at the federal and state levels?  For instance, Buhari has promised that fuel will sell at N40, but has any journalist asked him how he intends to achieve it? Does it reflect the realities? Yes, this is what we want, but is it realisable?”

    A human rights activist, Chioggia Ubani, has praised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for reversing the ban on the African Independent Television (AIT) on covering activities at Defence House.

    In a statement issued by APC spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Tuesday, the party said all accredited media houses were free to cover the activities of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the incoming administration will not discriminate against any media organisation, irrespective of its role during the electioneering campaigns leading to the just-concluded polls.

    Ubani, in a chat with reporters in Aba, Abia State, said though Buhari has the right to be aggrieved over the role AIT played during the electioneering campaigns, as a national leader, he should overlook the issue and forge ahead as the incident is now part of history.

    “I commend the APC for reversing the decision, because they understand that isolating AIT now would mean trying to strengthen their opponents. The PDP as an opposition party can even engage the AIT and give Buhari a vicious fight. So, I commend the APC for reversing the decision. That is the beauty of democracy.  Of course, they have good media strategists.

    “Buhari is aggrieved over the way things had been in the media. I don’t blame him, but only expect him to live above personal interest. AIT played an ignoble role in airing those documentaries against Buhari in the course of the campaign. But for the fact that he is a national leader, he should overlook some of these issues. When he is sworn in, he should preside over policies that will regulate and instill discipline in the media, build institutions that will move the country forward,” he said.

    Ubani accused the media of failing to play its role in setting the agenda and pace for the general elections.

    Continuing, he said: “The media keeps talking about clan and religious sentiments. Even in the politics of Abia State, what dominated the last elections was the issue of tribalism other than the real issues of development. The media should play its role and rise above the lowest point and once it does this, it overcomes these problems.

    “We all know that the media have not lived up to expectations. Some of them have been reckless and unprofessional in the discharge of their duties.

    “The media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm should set an agenda. What were the issues in the elections at the federal and state levels?  For instance, Buhari has promised that fuel will sell at N40, but has any journalist asked him how he intends to achieve it?

    “Does it reflect the realities? Yes, this is what we want, but is it realizable? Look at what is happening in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); nobody talks about labour and minimum wage.

    “We have been following politicians. The press has been reckless; whether Buhari will tolerate the press or not depends on the latter,” he stated.

  • Activist wants Orubebe prosecuted

    Activist wants Orubebe prosecuted

    Activist lawyer Morakinyo Ogele has called for the prosecution of former Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godsday Orubebe for disrupting the announcement of presidential election results.

    Orubebe held everybody present at the National Collation Centre in Abuja yesterday to ransom for about 25 minutes accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Speaking with The Nation, Ogele, who is also the coordinator of Ekiti Democratic Coalition Alliance (EDCA), said Orubebe’s show of shame portrayed Nigeria in bad light and brought the country into opprobrium.

    Ogele said Orubebe was acting a script prepared for him by his sponsors at the Aso Rock, noting that the action of the former minister shocked the whole nation and scandalised Nigerians and people all over the world watching the event on television.

    He, however, praised Jega and other INEC National Commissioners for their maturity in handling the matter “in the face of extreme provocation from anti-democratic forces.”

    The rights activist expressed his readiness to drag Orubebe to the court of law for causing tension and obstructing a valid process of announcing the result of the eagerly-awaited presidential election.

    Ogele said the prosecution of Orubebe would send a strong signal to others who might put up such undemocratic acts in future, adding that the ex-minister’s action was capable of plunging the country to anarchy.

    He explained that there were constitutionally-stipulated ways of ventilating grievances, if anybody or party is aggrieved by electoral process or result of any election rather than resorting to self-help.

    Ogele said: “Orubebe must be made to face the full wrath of the law for disrupting a peaceful process of announcement of the results of the presidential election.”

    “Nigerians should not be surprised by Orubebe’s show of shame because he is acting out a script prepared for him by his sponsors at Aso Rock, who are afraid of defeat.

    “This is somebody who has been minister in this country and many people are looking up to him as a role model, but he has disappointed many Nigerians by his reprehensible behaviour.

    “I want you to remember that the event was being watched all over the world and this has brought shame, disgrace and opprobrium to Nigeria, and it is very unfortunate that it happened when the process was nearing its completion.”

    “All Nigerians must join hands together to prevent this democracy from collapse.

    “It is very unfortunate that the PDP and its agents that benefited from a successful election conducted by Jega are now turning around to embarrass and vilify this man of integrity because the results are going against them.”

  • It’s a coup, says activist

    It’s a coup, says activist

    Kaduna-based human rights lawyer and National Coordinator of Independent Election Monitoring Group (IEMG), Mr. Festus Okoye, has described the postponement of the election as a “coup against democracy”.

    Okoye said IEMG was not convinced and will not accept the postponement of the elections since the reasons given for the said postponement were not cogent and verifiable.

    In a statement in Kaduna yesterday, the constitutional lawyer said: “We view the postponement as unwarranted and a coup against the constitution of and the Nigerian people and therefore unacceptable.

    “We condemn the decision by the security agencies and forces not to provide security for the February elections. The said decision is a coup against democracy, the constitutional order, the electoral process and the Nigerian people.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission in compliance with section 25 and 30 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) issued the timeline for the conduct of all the strands of elections provided for in the Constitution. The security agencies did not complain about the dates and did not call for an adjustment of the timelines. They did not oppose the conduct of elections in the Northeast of Nigeria and were taken into confidence as regards voting by Internally Displaced Persons.

    “At every forum, the security agencies assured the Nigerian people that all systems are geared towards the successful conduct of the elections and urged Nigerians not to be cowed by insurgents.

    “It is unfortunate and a constitutional aberration that the security agencies that did not oppose the conduct of elections have decided to kidnap democracy through the illegal abdication of their constitutional and statutory responsibility to provide security for the conduct of elections.

    “It is more shameful that a country like Nigeria can commit so much to an election and get this type of embarrassment. So much resource has been committed to the electoral process. Agencies and organisations have signed contracts and made payments for various services connected with the elections. Domestic and international observers and media have been mobilised. Nigerians have made all sorts of preparations, including mental and emotional preparations. People have made arrangements and some have relocated due to the scare-mongering of a section of the political elite. All these are now in abeyance.

    “We find it difficult to understand why the security agencies decided to blackmail and push the burden of postponement to the electoral management body. The security agencies are aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) can only postpone an election under section 26 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) only on grounds of a likelihood of a serious breach of the peace or natural disasters or other emergencies and these must be cogent and verifiable.

    “It is our opinion that the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) has made provision for the isolation of areas of security challenge and a return may not be made for such areas if the quantum of votes will affect the results. So, the use of the Northeast insurgency as bait is only a cheap blackmail to achieve a pre-determined outcome.

    “If the security agencies truly believe that Nigeria is at war and it is impossible to hold elections, they should have accepted responsibility and advised the President and Commander-in-Chief to approach the National Assembly to extend his regime by a period of six months utilising the provisions of section 64(2) of the Constitution, rather than blackmail the electoral management body to achieve a pre-determined result.

    “The added danger in the manipulation of the electoral timelines is that Nigeria may be heading towards a constitutional cul-de-sac. By section 132(2) of the constitution, 1999 (as amended) elections must be held not later than 30 days to the terminal date of the last holder of the office. If the present election is postponed and a second election is to be conducted in accordance with section 134 of the Constitution, it may be next to impossibility to accommodate same within the constitutional framework and this will land Nigeria in an interim government arrangement.

    “We must be careful not to play into the hands of anti-democratic forces that want to abort our democracy. The Nigerian people are advised to remain calm and act within the constitutional order and not give an excuse to those that do not want the elections to hold,” he said.

  • Activist seeks probe on N5b surveillance contract in Niger Delta

    A Niger Delta activist, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi, has urged anti-corruption agencies to probe the alleged embezzlement of the multibillion naira pipeline surveillance contract awarded to some former militants and tribal groups in the Niger Delta region.

    Newuwumi’s call came on the heels of revelations that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, was planning to renew the contract, which was awarded between 2010 and 2011.

    Newuwumi, who is the President of Iwere (Itsekiri) Development Association (IDA), told reporters yesterday that the Itsekiri slots were hijacked by a popular Itsekiri leader and House of Assembly candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election.

    He said: “This open letter has become necessary because of recent attempt to re-award the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline surveillance contract in Delta State to a surveillance company, where he (a former militant leader) represents the Itsekiri interest again.

    “I know the first phase of the contract, which was also awarded to him, was meant to employ more than 1,500 Itsekiri. But to my dismay, this lofty dream by the government for the people did not materialise because of the greed of one person. He did not only embezzle the money meant for the contract, he also failed to employ a single youth among the Itsekiri.”

    The activist said a similar contract by the state government was also hijacked by the same clique, which he accused of desperation to cage the ethnic group.

    The IDA President noted that contrary to the terms of the contract, the Itsekiri front for the contract failed to pay the agreed salary of N120,000 monthly to the 1,500 workers and also failed to provide tools needed to do the job.