Group asks Buhari to suspend NDDC budget

Nathan Tamarapreye

An Ijaw group, Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to withhold the 2021 Niger Delta Development Commission’s budget.

The National President of the group, Mr Kennedy Tonjo-West, said this on Tuesday during the official inauguration of the National Executive members of MOSIEND in Yenagoa.

According to him, the group is angry at the non-physical presence of what the commission has done with the 2019 money it received from the Federal Government for the commission to carry out projects in the Niger Delta region.

The group, however, called on President Buhari to urgently constitute a substantive board for the commission.

Speaking, Tonjo-West added that action was very necessary, so that Niger Deltans can engage the NDDC, know how much is appropriated to the various communities and hold the commission responsible whenever the need arises.

He stated that the leadership of MOSIEND will engage the Federal Government in many areas, especially on some extant laws that do not protect the interests of the Ijaw ethnic nationality and the entire people of the Niger Delta.

Tonjo-West noted that the Ijaw ethnic nationality is totally against the Water Resources Bill because it is targeted at impoverishing the people of the Niger Delta.

He said that they are no longer satisfied with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and called on the international community and the Nigerian state to take note that Ijaws demand a referendum.

The MOSIEND National President said the referendum is necessary to know the direction of the Niger Delta people – and that, if the country is to remain as one entity, there is need for a fresh constitution, which will give one hundred percent resource ownership to Niger Deltans, as well as justice and fairness to all.

He stated that the Ijaw nation is no longer comfortable with the 13 percent derivation to oil producing communities and called on governors of the Niger Delta region and other critical stakeholders to open their doors for engagement with MOSIEND.

 Kennedy-West frowned at the recent increase in fuel price, also assured that MOSIEND will engage the over 40 ethnic nationalities within the Niger Delta region – to begin the process of advancing the liberation of the region.

The just inuagurated members of the National Executive council of MOSIEND are Kennedy Tonjo West – president, Thompson Robert Fuoye – vice president, Amb. Cotterel Amain – secretary, Charles Omusuku – spokesman, Chief Henry Nabena – treasurer

Others are Prince Amaibi Hornby – Financial Secretary, Tonbra Kasikoro Klioprite – Woman Leader, Alhaji Barasei Amaigo Brown – Mobilization Officer, Opukeme Obubor – Director of Operations, Dimieari Pepple – Deputy National Organizing Secretary.

The 14 member Exco also inudes, David Dasembo – Assitant National Secretary, Kelvin Akuna – Ex officio, Prince Oweibi – Ex officio and Chief Richman Yinbiri – National Director of Cultural Affairs.