•Tinubu’s 2024 budget not fair to Niger Delta, Nigeria’s cash cow
FORMER National Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)( worldwide and Leader of the Niger Delta Advocacy group, New Era Movement, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, in this interview bared his minds on sundry issues including the outcome of the November 11th Governorship election in Bayelsa State, the political crisis in Rivers State, the recent national budget presented by President Bola Tinubu as it affects the Niger Delta region interventionist agencies, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP among others. Excerpt:
Bayelsa governorship election has come and gone and the people are looking forward to the inauguration of a new tenure for the incumbent, Douye Diri, what do you have to say?
Though the much-anticipated Bayelsa gubernatorial elections have come and gone the people have spoken decisively with their votes by re-electing the incumbent governor, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri of the PDP. However, we must learn from the lessons thrown up by the election; amongst which is the issue of open display of animosity amongst the political class and threat to lives.
While two persons were murdered, on or after the elections, there is the need for a review of the Electoral Act to include sanctions for those involved in electoral violence or threats that will hamper the participation of electorates in the democratic process.
It has also shown that many youths in the state have learned lessons and have embraced peaceful and non-violent conduct during elections. It is commendable that the message to political actors is loud and clear, “Youths are no longer available for carnage and killings.”
Looking at Rivers State, all is not well between Gov. Fubura and the Minister of the FCT, Wike. In your opinion, what is the way forward?
I have been keenly following the ugly political drama in Rivers State since it started unfolding. What appears to be an issue that could be resolved quickly and amicably has taken a dangerous dimension, exacerbated by tribal jingoism and chauvinism. While I find it difficult to join the bandwagon in casting aspersions, I will rather appeal for restraint.
I call on those making incendiary remarks and promoting tribal sentiments to have a rethink. This will add more salt to injury. I appeal they make remarks that will promote peace, and unity as one Rivers people.
Some Niger Delta stakeholders have faulted Mr. President on the 2024 budget, insisting that issues of regional development and proper funding for intervention agencies for the Niger Delta region were not adequately captured.
(Cuts in) Yes, President Bola Tinubu presented the 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion to the National Assembly. Despite the huge expectations attached to the budget, I think that the six states of the Niger Delta region, which have become the cash cow to fund it, have not been considered adequately. Take a closer look at the infrastructural decay littering the region. The East-West Road is deteriorating daily. The expected development plans submitted to successive administrations have not been actualized.
Gratefully to our Senator, Konbowei Benson, President Bola Tinubu merely allocated the meager sum of N1.5 billion for the construction of the East-West Road. He (Konbowei) expressed outrage at the lack of consultation with key stakeholders, foreseeing a ten-year delay if the allocation stands.
Also, the Otuoke Road project was allocated a paltry N10 million. The senator questioned the feasibility of meaningful projects in Otuoke with a meager N10 million budget. We frown at this development and as Niger Deltans, we are worried that the President may have zero idea of the infrastructural challenges facing the region. We call for the upward review of the East-West road budget proposal and that of the Otuoke road.
On the poor state of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) performance, what is your take?
