BY SAM DUVWODE
THE Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has told the people of Gbaramatu kingdom and Niger Delta to prepare for the future, saying that the future is now.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this yesterday during his official fact-finding visit to Oporoza, Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Vice President, who noted that the oil-rich region which had over the decades been an area of poor infrastructure, poor health and the people living with few hope of redemption, needs urgent attention for development.
Osinbajo, who said that from between January to June 2016, there was about 1,447 incidents of vandalism, added that illiteracy is high in the area and thousands of people face challenges as a result of environmental pollution, noting that many of the projects in the Niger Delta have not been able to meet the needs of the people.
Prof. Osinbajo told the people that their future is not in environmental degradation, poor health living, oil facilities vandalism but that the future lies in the development of the Niger Delta.
He urged them to recognize the unique nature of the Niger Delta and partner with the Federal Government in order to embrace it as a special developmental zone.
The Vice President noted that the state and Federal Government, as well as the National Assembly and all stakeholders must set a plan for the development of the Niger Delta, adding that collectively, all organs must plan for the development of the zone for the benefit of the people.
Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, while addressing the people, appealed for their cooperation and partnership with the Federal Government.
Governor Okowa who expressed joy and conviction that the visit will bring partnership between the Niger Delta and the Federal Government urged the people to provide the enabling environment for development to take place.
According to him; “There is no better time in the quest for peace than now. So we must embrace peace, we must seek peace, I must thank the youths who have spoken, we must all come together and move the region forward. The time is now,” Okowa stated.
In an address presented by the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, the Ibe-benemowei of Gbaramatu kingdom, expressed belief that the Vice President’s visit would represent a game-changer – coming at a time of national economic recession and when the Niger Delta; especially Gbaramatu kingdom has become more endangered and feeling estranged from the Nigerian nation.
Chief Gbenakama believe that the visit will truly build the confidence of the people of Gbaramatu kingdom and the Niger Delta on the Federal Government’s commitment to go beyond hitherto frustrating rhetorics, not just in developing but according dignity and pride of place to the oil-rich region.
He noted that whereas Gbaramatu kingdom plays host to a lot of federal oil assets important to the national and state economy, like the Abiteye Flow Station, Egwa 1and 2 Flow Station, Jones Creek Flow Station, Utunana Flow Station, Macaraba Flow Station among others, the entire landscape of the kingdom lacks federal infrastructure and wallows in utter government neglect and appealed that the Gbaramatu kingdom derseves developmental attention.
While noting that a visit to Kurutie, the take-off site of the Nigerian Maritime University would reveal a campus that can compete in infrastructure with other institutions in the world, he appealed that government should remove all restraints and ensure commencement, soonest of academic activities in the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko for the benefit of all Nigerians.
The traditional chief noted that under the guise of search of oil facility vandals, oil thieves and other criminals, the Nigeria military has become an army of occupation, committing serial invasions on Gbaramatu kingdom.
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