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Tag: OMPALAN

  • OMPALAN to FG: stop foreign invasion of solid minerals

    OMPALAN to FG: stop foreign invasion of solid minerals

    The Board of Trust Deputy Chairman, Oil and Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN), Prof. John Ndanusa Akanya at the weekend called on the Federal Government (FG) to bring sanity to the solid mineral industry by stopping foreign invasion of mineral sites in the north.

    Its chairman of Advisory Board, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garbai, who was represented by Wakilin Shehu, B.M. Auta, urged traditional rulers in oil and solid minerals producing areas to rule with the fear of God.

    He asked the the youths to respect the rule of law, noting that they are the future leaders of the country.

    Meanwhile, the North West Youth Leader, Umar Makeri sought the mobilization of the youths in Nigeria in order to make them more productive.

    The spoke an interactive meeting with the leaders of the association from North East, North West, North Central, and South West in Abuja.

    Speaking, the association BoT chairman, Bishop Azogu noted that the inability by leaders of the association to deliver on their key responsibility of protecting the interest of impacted communities has necessitated the ongoing restructuring of OMPALAN in order to make it more responsive to emerging challenges.

    The apex regional leaders, he said, shall work with other leaders in their regions to identify capable individuals who buy into the OMPALAN vision and are willing to make the necessary sacrifice to deliver the goods.

    He submitted that for Nigeria to progress there must be stability and respect for the rule of law.

    According to him, “the  association has developed a home-grown blueprint designed to generate gainful employment opportunity for the teeming jobless youths, end violence and enthrone the rule of law in the three oil producing regions of South South, South West and South East.

    “The bottom-up proposal called ‘Mining Security & Monitoring Agency of Nigeria (MISMAN) seeks to engage entrenched institutions in impacted communities in the security of oil company personnel, installations and equipment.”

    Azogu submitted that the  departure from previous and flawed arrangement by the Federal Government and other development agencies that entrust security of mining sites to dominant youth leaders purely on the basis of their ability to bare their fangs resulting in the multiplicity of war lords that flex muscle with government and security operatives – threatening to breach constitutional peace at the slightest provocation. The chairman noted that with  MISMAN no youth leader no matter how powerful or their sponsors can overrun their host community.

    Continuing, he said that “We, in OMPALAN cannot allow a situation where a few aggrieved individuals employ the services of lawless youths to stoke perpetual tension and deny entire oil producing regions access to democratic deliverables. “Over the years robust palliative programs have been rolled out by the Federal Government to cushion the harsh effects of mounting environmental degradation in local communities of oil producing areas but, these programs have had very little impact on account of political corruption.

    “MISMAN incorporates robust mechanism to monitor and ensure that palliative programs released from the top are safely delivered at the bottom. We do not hear of militancy in oil producing Ghana because development agencies and impacted communities engage in an equitable and transparent manner. There is a win-win situation in Ghana.”

    Azogu commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the successful conduct of the just concluded gubernatorial election in Anambra State.

    He said that the success is a clear indication that the electoral reforms promised by the APC-led Government are on course.

    Chairman also congratulated Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and the APGA party for coming out victorious, adding that “we salute other contestants and their political parties in Anambra State for supporting the rule of law before, during and after the gubernatorial election.”

  • Quit notice: OMPALAN urges dialogue

    Following the insistence on the October 1 quit notice that the Coalition of Northern Youths has given to the Igbo in northern Nigeria, the Oil and Solid Minerals Producing Area Landlords Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) on Monday urged the Federal Government to call all the aggrieved parties to a negotiation table.
    OMPALAN’s National Facilitator, Barrister Sam Oduh Ezediaro, who made this call in a statement, said the quit notice which has also got the blessing of some of the elders in the north is worrisome.
    He, however, noted that although there could be excuses to balkanize the country, a united sovereign Nigeria, where there is rule of law, will still fare better than a divided one.
    He said that: “The various crisis rocking the nation should be seen as a clarion call to good governance by the political leadership. While there may be glaring reasons for break up we, as a nation will fare much better under a united sovereign nation that is driven by the rule of law.
    “The Federal Government should provide an enabling environment for dialogue in order to bring aggrieved individuals and organisations to a negotiating table where burning issues can be properly addressed.
    ” I, therefore, wish to appeal to those campaigning for self determination to sheath the sword and accept dialogue as the most effective tool to resolve conflicts.”
    He noted that the quit notice is worrisome because the country has been battling to recover from the havoc of the civil war which claimed three million lives and retarded the economy.
    OMPALAN  admitted that that governance challenges have made the ordinary Nigerian miserable.
    Continuing, the statement added that : “The nation’s economy which is driven largely by oil is manifestly in deep recession due to global shock in oil price coupled with our dwindling foreign reserve that is regularly tampered with to make up for budget deficit. “Our Country, Nigeria is really in a mess bringing to fore the issue of political leadership which is actually fueling the ongoing agitations for self-determination across Nigeria’s vast ethnic nationalities.
    “The perception of injustice and inequities are spreading like wild fire beyond the frontiers of political and ideological divides. With tempers running high there is the tendency to shift the blame to government and not just government but, to those holding the levers of power. This is understandable especially in view of the biting austerity that does not seem to abase.
    “However, Nigerians are extraordinary people who are known all over the world to overcome trying periods in the nation’s history. Nigeria survived a traumatising civil war that led to the death of over 3 million people.
    “Nigeria survived the shock of the 2000 shariah-induced crisis that resulted in the avoidable death of thousands of innocent Christians in the north and reprisal killings of Moslems in the South. Nigeria survived the rage of crippling armed campaigns by militants in the Niger Delta region.
    “Nigerians should not loose sight of the war ravaging the north east of our Country by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists with attendant heavy toll on life and property. The Boko Haram war in the north east of Nigeria has claimed several thousands of lives including our brave soldiers that fell to the savage bullet of anarchy.
    “These innocent, patriotic and gallant citizens sacrificed their lives while fighting to restore constitutional peace and order in war-torn north east Nigeria.
    “Worse still, is the devastating effect and nightmarish experience of fellow Nigerians who were displaced in their thousands from their once-peaceful war-torn areas and are now forced to live in sub-standard make-shift camps.
    “Finally, I commend the effort of OMPALAN and other peace-loving organizations across the Country for making bold effort to sue for peace. Our Country, Nigeria will fare better when we resolve to live together under a sovereign and united nation founded on peace, justice and equity.
    “The greatest threat to sovereign Nigeria is insecurity especially the spirited effort of religious bigots to take over the reins of government and force their evil agenda on the Country. This is an area President Buhari has done very well and must be commended by all Nigerians.
    “If Boko Haram had succeeded nobody would be talking of the rule of law or injustice or inequity. Nigerians of all climes must therefore come to terms with the stark reality on ground and pray fervently for the quick recovery of President Buhari to enable him finish the war successful against terrorism in the north east and by extension the entire Country.”
  • Reduce agitation with PIB – South south OMPALAN youths

    Reduce agitation with PIB – South south OMPALAN youths

    Following the October 1 quit notice that the Coalition of Northern Youths have given to the Igbo living in the north, the Youths from the South-South zone of our Country under the umbrella body of Oil & Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) yesterday urged the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law to reduce agitation and restiveness of the different ethnic groups.

    The association also urged Federal Government to address the challenges in the solid minerals host communities for easy job creation that will bring peace and development.

    Condemning the notice in a statement that the youths signed and released to The Nation, they submitted that Nigeria needs now is “Peace and Unity” which is chief among the Vision & Mission of OMPALAN.

    The statement which the Leaders of the youths, Hon. Ngokanya, Benjamin and Captain John Victor Etim signed noted that the youths met in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The other members that were in attendance, according to the statement, were Hon. Benjamin Ngokanya, Captain John Victor Etim, Barr. Dave Owate Wokoma, Barr Favour Okokon, Mr. Dandy Loveday, Harry Aparama Kelvin, Envang. Benard Oluka, Jeff Nwafor Eric Dudu Obeta, Umeh Christian, and Hon Asukwo Effiong.
    The youths said that God has blessed every state of Nigeria with one mineral deposit or the other that the nation is yet to harness.

    They added that: “We, therefore, implore the Federal Government to explore these rich and diverse endowments in order to create new jobs for sustainable development goals.

    “As key stakeholders who believe firmly in the Nigeria Project, the South-South OMPALAN youths advocate for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for the the host communities by the National Assembly which should equally be extended to solid mineral producing States so as to reduce youth restiveness and other forms of agitations that impede development  as we believe that Nigeria can thrive and develop faster when the God-given natural resources impact host communities positively and commensurately.”

    The group commended acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for rising to the threat and suing for peace across the length and breath the country through the meetings with the 36 State Governors of the Federation and leaders of the South East and Northern Nigeria.

    Continuing, the association’s youths said that: “We cannot blame the entire Igbo’s or South East region for the isolated actions of a tiny but, vocal group (ISOB and MASSOP) in much the same way the North East region cannot be blamed and penalized for the monumental destructions and killings occasioned by Boko Haram which has cost the taxpayer in Nigeria trillions of Naira.

    “No section of our nation can be seen or said to be greater than the entire Country, Nigeria. Our unity in diversity should be guarded jealously by every citizen of this great Country. As such, hate speeches and tribal threats will only help to destroy our unity and threaten constitutional peace.”

    The South-South youths “called on the coalition of northern youths to support the rule of law and shun disgruntled politicians who are working to truncate the hard-earned democratic experiment in Nigeria because this great Country belongs to everyone citizen of Nigeria especially the youths who will grow to take over the management of the Country.

    “We equally advise the IPOB and MASSOB to sheath the sword and be part of Nigeria’s indissoluble sovereignty and unity. Our refrain should be ‘One Nigeria! Every Nigerian’. OMPALAN stands for one united and sovereign Nigeria for every Nigerian in any part of Nigeria. We are willing to engage both the coalition of Northern Youths, IPOB, MASSOB and other aggrieved organisations in a dialogue to build peace development across the entire Country in order to strengthen corporate governance.

    “All forms of agitations and threats for secession across the Country should cease forthwith. Our political leaders and elders should come to a round table discussing without further delay to fashion a way forward for our dear Country and remove the fragile peace process from limbo aware that so many Countries are looking up to us for leadership and inspiration.

    “Finally, the S’South youths of OMPALAN requests the Presidency to convene a youth summit of major youth formations across Nigeria to drum support for the rule of law and douse the tension generated by the treasonable and shocking statement credited to the coalition of northern youths asking the Igbos to leave the north.

    “There is only one Nigerian Government with one constitution. The sit at home order and hate speeches only convey the treasonable message within Nigeria and beyond that, there are three parallel governments in the Country managed jointly by the Federal Government, the coalition of northern youths and secessionist movements.

    “This ugly development has dire consequences on national security and stability, especially in the nation’s oil fields. We expect the nation’s robust security agencies to deploy their arsenal effectively to bring the prevailing security threats that are burning like wildfire under control and guarantee the right of every law-abiding citizen of sovereign Nigeria to live and work in any part of the Country without fear or molestation.”

  • OMPALAN youths to north: Retrieve Igbo eviction notice

    OMPALAN youths to north: Retrieve Igbo eviction notice

    Youths of 19 Northern States under the platform of (Oil and Solid Minerals Producing Area Landlords Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) have reacted to the quit notice  which Coalition of Northern Youths have given to Igbo, urging that they (northern youths) should retract the notice for peace to reign.

    The reaction was the outcome of the meeting that the association’s youths in the 19 Northern States held in Abuja.

    According to the Secretary,  OMPALAN National Youth Affairs Committee & Leader, Mr Steve Ogebe in a statement yesterday, the coalition has ignited a fire that it may not be able to put out.

    The statement said: “We want to use this medium to sound a note of warning to the belligerent and misguided youth elements fronting as ‘coalition of northern youths’ to retrieve their treasonable statement immediately and allow the sleeping dog to lie.

    “The unguided utterances by these belligerent and uninformed youth elements amount to ‘sowing the wind’ because they are unconsciously engaging in a macabre dance they may not finish.

    “It is an incontestable fact that sovereign Nigeria is bigger than the egocentric interest of any component part. Nigeria is one united and indivisible sovereign Country which must be jealously preserved and any attempt by disgruntled politicians to scuttle the nation’s hard-earned democracy will be met with very stiff resistance.

    ” It is to be noted that Nigerians have built solid bridges of peace across ethnic and religious divides over the years- cementing age-long fissures that were generated by ethnic and religious bigotry. Nigeria is far from 1966 – making the success of the ethnic war in 2017 very remote.

    “This means that an Igbo man will protect a northerner if threatened in the east and vice-versa.
    Mistakes have been made in the past by our political leaders and we cannot continue to live in the past as a progressive nation. Let us throw the bitter past into the trash can of history and forge ahead into the future as a people with a common destiny impelled by the rule of law.”

    The OMPALAN youths, however, called on the Igbo living in the north not to yield to the blackmail of disgruntled politicians who want to use them breach the law for a sudden change of government.

    They urged the citizenry to defend the nation’s democracy, stressing that all Nigerians have the right to reside in any part of the country.

    Continuing, the statement said that the ” Federal and State authorities should come out openly and resolutely to stop the open treasonable actions by some misguided youths working in concert with aggrieved politicians.

    “Our leaders should also look at the other side of the coin to appreciate the dire consequences of not acting proactively to nip in the bud a fast-growing danger that is progressively pushing the entire Country to the throes of anarchy.

    “The orchestrated action by the so-called coalition of northern youths can provoke a dangerous domino effect across the length and breath of sovereign Nigeria with the concomitant effect of plunging our beloved Country into an irreversible trauma if not confronted head-on with the seriousness it deserves.

    “Our political leaders must defend their oath of office and come out openly and resolutely to ‘kill’ the rampaging hydra-headed monster that is openly threatening national peace and stability before it ‘kills’ the whole Nigeria.

    “We also wish to use this medium to caution aggrieved ethnic nationalities in Nigeria to exercise maximum restraint and avoid unguided statements in order to sustain the polity. The two dominant religions of Islam and Christianity in Nigeria preach peace and tolerance.

    “True Christians and Moslems must, therefore, work cooperatively together to protect this sacred religious asset of peace and tolerance for the good of the nation. Nigerians must not succumb to the secessionist rhetoric of a mindless and ungodly cabal that is waging a spirited war to hang on perpetually to the levers of power in a vast multi-ethnic political entity.

    “Respect for the rule of law is sacrosanct and is the only guarantee of peace, progress and prosperity in secular Nigeria. Our unity in diversity is a rare asset that must be exploited positively to launch the Country on a lofty pedestal of international fame. Any action that will lead to civil war must be collectively and proactively nipped in the bud to save the Country from the bitter ravages of war.

    “Those who ‘sow the wind’ as the saying goes may be oblivious to the bitter consequences of reaping the ‘whirlwind’. The international community must not remain mute and bury their heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich pretending that all is well while our shared institutional values are been threatened by religious bigots who metamorphose into terrorists at will and equally threaten their institutions. The whole civilised world must present a common front against any threats to enshrined democratic values.”

  • OMPALAN tasks FG on further consultation with Niger Delta

    Oil and Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) has called on the Federal Government to open further consultations to get contributions from diverse groups in the oil producing states.

    OMPALAN expressed unflinching confidence in the Presidency to deliver on the promises it made to remove the lingering peace process in the Niger Delta region definitively from limbo and give the region a new lease of life.

    However, speaking with one voice at the leaders’ meeting in Abuja, the association insisted that the Presidency style of visiting every oil producing state one day at a time, might not give it the desired results.

    Its chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) Bishop Udo Azogu, said that: “OMPALAN believes that the strategy adopted by the Presidency to visit and interact with every Oil Producing State one day at a time may not yield the desired result. This is because the time of engagement with stakeholders is too short and does not allow for contributions from diverse and informed groups /individuals in the State.

    “The Presidency should give the scheme greater flexibility and open up more to organizations like OMPALAN and individuals who have genuine contributions to make so that the good intentions of Government will not be derailed by selfish politicians and pressure groups who are working vigorously to dictate the tone exclusively with an eye on oil blocks and modular refineries.”

    Azogu noted that the association has developed a blueprint for sustainable peace and development of mineral producing areas.

    He said, that the blueprint is a bottom-up proposal that basically focuses on transparency and security of host communities.

    Those that attended the meeting were the Chairman, BOT, Bishop Udo Azogu, National Chairman & Chief Executive, Prof Eyo Etim Nyong, Leader (former Minister for Police Affairs), Dr. Ibrahim Lame, Dr. Abdul Jhalil Tafawa Balewa: Chairman, Environmental Committee, Chief (Barr) Sam Ezediaro, Principal Secretary, Sir Eustace Eke, Chairman, Advisory Board, Delta State, HRM Obi Nzemeke, Chairman, Advisory Board, Rivers State, HRM Eze Amuda Ginikanwa, National Publicity Secretary, Prof Katuka Yaki, Secretary, Environmental Committee, Prince Tony Ebietomiye, National Liaison Officer, Alhaji S. I. Sule, National Treasurer, Dr. Adindu Ndukwe, Chairman, National Youth Affairs Committee, Hon. Ngokanya Benjamin, and the National Youth Affairs Committee, Kabiru Aliyu.

    According to him, the meeting was predicated on the growing need to adopt strategies and explore avenues to move the association forward in view of growing public demands to make the extractive industries more competitive, transparent and beneficial to impacted communities and the nation at large.

    Azogu said that: “As the lawful voice for mineral producing communities across Nigeria we have a duty to protect these vulnerable communities from all forms of abuse by strengthening corporate governance and making our extractive industries more competitive, transparent and beneficial to impacted communities and the nation at large. We can only build a strong and virile Nigeria by scaffolding the concept of transparency, accountability, due process and patriotism with diligence.”

  • OMPALAN seeks end to governors’ immunity clause

    OMPALAN seeks end to governors’ immunity clause

    Oil and Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) has asked the National Assembly to expunge the immunity clause protecting state governors from prosecution from the nation’s constitution.
    Members of the association in a meeting at Abuja, expressed their support for the Senate over its move to grant full autonomy to elected Local Government Councils.
    Those that attended the meeting were the Chairman, BoT, Bishop Udo Azogu, National Chairman & Chief Executive, Prof Eyo Etim Nyong, Leader (former Minister for Police Affairs), Dr. Ibrahim Lame, Dr. Abdul Jhalil Tafawa Balewa: Chairman, Environmental Committee, Chief (Barr) Sam Ezediaro, Principal Secretary, Sir Eustace Eke, Chairman, Advisory Board, Delta State, HRM Obi Nzemeke, Chairman, Advisory Board, Rivers State, HRM Eze Amuda Ginikanwa, National Publicity Secretary, Prof Katuka Yaki, Secretary, Environmental Committee, Prince Tony Ebietomiye, National Liaison Officer, Alhaji S. I. Sule, National Treasurer, Dr. Adindu Ndukwe, Chairman, National Youth Affairs Committee, Hon. Ngokanya Benjamin, and the National Youth Affairs Committee, Kabiru Aliyu: Secretary.
    The chairman, Bishop Udo Azogu urged the National Assembly to enact laws to deal squarely with Governors who sack elected Local Government Councils in order to appropriate their funds.
    According to him, ” It’s only in Nigeria that individuals can be allowed to breach the law the way our Governors are doing and go scot free. When Governors breach the law they have their way but, when jobless youths in oil producing areas agitate for a better living condition they are branded criminals and treated as armed robbers. This must stop.
    “Immunity does not translate to lawlessness. The immunity clause is not helping matters in Nigeria as it’s being used the wrong way to shortchange the system by lawless and unpatriotic individuals who exploit the nation’s weak institutions to clinch to power.
    “To really stop corruption and enthrone the rule of law in Nigeria the immunity clause must be expunged from the constitution.”
    He explained that if the nation is sincere with strengthening corporate governance, the country,  must run a Federal system in which both the Federal and State Governments shall not control more than 40% of the national budget while Local Government Councils which are the closest to the masses should control the bulk of the budget in addition to granting autonomy status to the Police and anti-graft agencies.
    Continuing, he insisted that:  “Things can never go right when our Local Government Councils are relegated to the background by greedy politicians who have no regard for the rule of law.
    “There must be clear separation of powers between the three arms of Government notably the executive, the legislature and the judiciary with no arm assuming dominance over the other.
    “It is also the position of OMPALAN that the ongoing war against graft should cut across all strata of the society and must not be used to pursue a vendetta. Where ever there is a crime, be it in the Presidency or within the precinct of the anti-graft agencies due investigation must be carried out and justice must be seen to be done.”

  • Niger Delta crisis: OMPALAN advises Presidency on wider consultation

    •Monarch appointed as patron

    OIL and Solid Minerals Producing Area Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) has urged the Presidency to seek wider consultation with oil and gas stakeholders to address the lingering Niger Delta crisis.
    Its Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Bishop Udo Azogu spoke in Omorku, Rivers State, during the appointment of the Chukwumela Nnam Obi II of Ogbaland as patron of association.
    In a statement yesterday, OMPALAN hailed Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for visiting the crisis-ridden Niger-Delta for first-hand information on the situation.
    He said: “We salute the courage and leadership qualities of the Vice President in visiting the hotbed of violence in the Niger Delta region to get first-hand information on the region’s deplorable situation and dialogue with a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
    “This is a step in the right direction as it helped greatly to douse tension in the region. However, OMPALAN believes the issue of oil and gas requires a wider consultation of stakeholders across the country – bringing on board both the big and small producing states to nip the lingering crisis definitively in the bud and lay a solid foundation for lasting peace, equity and justice.
    “To restore sanity to the embattled Niger Delta region and provide a conducive investment climate for sustainable development goals, OMPALAN is ramping up effort to mobilise the nation to present a common front to the challenges in the region.”
    The patron admonished the association to always carry host communities along.
    Azogu noted that the occasion marked the beginning of a new era of national integration towards addressing security and environmental challenges in oil and solid mineral producing areas of Nigeria.

  • OMPALAN blames Niger Delta crisis on state government

    OMPALAN blames Niger Delta crisis on state government

    The Oil  and  Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) has blamed the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta on the oil producing state governments that encourage multiplicity of youth formation interfere in oil company and host community relations.

    Its Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Bishop Udo Azogu, made this disclosure in an interactive meeting of the leaders of Southsouth and South East at the weekend in Asaba, Delta State.

    According to a statement that the association issued in Abuja yesterday, the chairman, noted that the interference of state government with different youth associations has worsened the crisis over the years.

    Meanwhile, Prof. Benjamin Okaba commended Azogu for giving the age-long struggle by host oil and gas/solid minerals producing communities protest and struggle for resource ownership and sustainable development a new impetus.

    Some of the 26 members that attended the meeting were His Royal Majesty Eze Amuda, Prof Benjamin Okaba, K.O. Ekweju Etlie from Delta State, Comrade Lucky E. Onyia, Nzemeke Charles Chigozie, Franklin Nwabuisi, Confidence Amuda, Dr. Moses Adagbubin, Capt. John Etim and Dr. Tumbo H. Brodoick.

    His words: “It is our humble contention that Oil Producing State Governments should focus on their primary constitutional responsibility of upholding the rule of law and deepening good governance by working in synergy with recognized organizations to achieve results.

    “The situation where Oil Producing State Governments encourage multiplicity of youth formations for egocentric reasons and meddle in oil company- host community relations that have been built and consolidated over the years only help to deepen the crisis in the region.”

    Azogu told the members that the essence of the meeting was to explain the noble ideas of organization, OMPALAN in providing the much desired back-up to ongoing efforts by both the Federal and foreign Governments to address mounting security and environmental challenges in local communities that produce oil and gas.

    He added that “I wish to congratulate our youths on the prevailing lull in the regions political turmoil that almost pushed the entire Niger Delta region to the brinks of war.

    “It is the shared contention in OMPALAN that restiveness gained ascendancy in oil producing areas with attendant heavy toll on life and property largely because of the ambivalent stance of the elite.,”

    The elites, he said, felt militancy was purely a youth problem and allowed the situation to escalate.

  • OMPALAN to Buhari: don’t allow politicians seize oil blocks

    •‘Bombing oil facilities equal to self-destruction’

    The Oil and Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association (OMPALAN) yesterday cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against allowing the political class to highjack oil blocks.

    The warning followed Niger Delta elders’ request for oil blocks to pacify warring militants bombing oil and gas facilities in the zone.

    In a statement in Abuja, OMPALAN’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Bishop Udo Azogu advised Buhari to ensure that the allocation benefits the common man instead of the political class.

    He said: “The truth is that even when government allocates oil blocks to some indigenes of the region or concedes to resource control, they will end up in the hands of the insatiable political class, who has perennially benefited from the lingering crisis in the region.

    “OMPALAN believes that it is justifiable and proper that oil blocks be allocated to the regions that produce oil, but it must be properly considered to meet the ends of justice to the benefit of the common man and not allocated to the same vicious oligarchy that shortchanges the system with impunity.”

    Asking the belligerent militants to ceasefire, he explained that bombing of oil facilities and killing of security personnel were tantamount to self-destruction.

    Azogu added that it will make the host communities the worse for it.

    “We must find a more effective and lawful way to press for justice in oil producing areas,” he added.

    The association, however, developed a blueprint to address the lingering security crisis in the oil producing region.

    According to Azogu, the association has proposed a Mining Security & Monitoring Agency of Nigeria (MISMAN) to integrate national security agencies with host communities of mining sites in monitoring development projects, security of mining installations and service delivery chains of Federal Government’s mitigation programmes in impacted communities

    OMPALAN said it blended with another proposal at the grassroots level called Community Administration Council – CAC, which brings all entrenched community institutions, such as Council of Chiefs, town unions, women/youth organisations and community vigilance under one umbrella to attain set goals underpinning peace, security, stability and sustainable development.

    The association urged Buhari to tell oil producing state governors to stop tampering or meddling with 13 per cent Oil Derivation Fund accruing to their states.

    The governors, according to the association, must give the NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs the free hand to deliver.

    Asogu urged the Federal Government to bring on board the oil producing states, including states that have “discovered and are drilling oil within their shores, such as Anambra, Kogi and Lagos in the interest of justice and to seal off every hiding place for anti-democratic forces”.

  • NDDC, OMPALAN to meet on Niger Delta menace

    NDDC, OMPALAN to meet on Niger Delta menace

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is to meet with  the Oil Producing Area Landlord’s Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN)  to brainstorm on checking kidnapping in the region.

    Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo is expected to attend  the meeting  scheduled for October 8-10.

    The  National Chairman of  OMPALAN  Board  of Trustees, Bishop Udo Azogu, said the association remains committed to its  mandate  to assist the Federal Government  in achieving sustainable peace in oil and minerals producing areas of the country.

    He  decried the rate at which host communities are suffering different hardships and deprivation, noting that “also we can have a kind of exercise or raise fund for the committee to go to the rural areas for them to lift the living standard there.

    “We will get the video footage and put it on our website. There are some of these countries and charity organisations that are looking for organisations like OMPALAN to link them to such communities. So, we have to look at where we can come in for these organisations to see us as an organisation that can actually deliver.”

    The association which admitted that its role is advisory and not confrontational to the government also mulled the idea of requesting most of the state governments to allow local government area councils to run separate accounts.

    Former Super Eagles great, Daniel Amokachi, who is the National Youth Leader of the Oil Producing Area Landlord’s Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN), has said that the association will develop the skills of youths in entertainment such as football, fashion, acting and others.

    The plan is for the association to eradicate youth poverty in the areas.

    The association that recently incorporated landlords from minerals producing areas into its fold, appointed him as Youth Leader and assigned Zainab H. Akwanga as his deputy.

    In an interview with The Nation, Amokachi, who unfolded his plans to the association, noted that OMPALAN would approach the oil companies that generate income from the areas to give back to the communities.

    He recalled that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) produced light in a recreation centre for some kids in some countries, adding that the association could request the oil giant to replicate it in oil host communities.