By Tejiri Ebikeme
The President of Iwere Development Association (IDA), Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi has called on the Federal Government not to go ahead and reward the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline surveillance contract to Hon. Michael Diden (aka Ejele), saying he was no longer fit to represent the Itsikiri nation in the contract.
Speaking to newsmen in Warri, the Niger Delta Activist, expressed dissatisfaction with the manner Hon. Diden carried on with the first pipeline surveillance contract, alleging that Hon. Diden brought under-development to the Itsekiri people.
According to the activist, Hon. Diden formerly representing Itsekiri ethnic nationality in DESOPADEC before he joined the House of Assembly race for Warri North constituency should be investigated by the EFCC and ICPC for the previous contract awarded to him.
He alleged that the first phase of the contract awarded to Hon. Diden and expected to engage more than 1,500 Itsekiris never turned out to be so.
Comrade Omolubi alleged that: “He did not only embezzle the money meant for the contract, he also failed to employ a single youth from the Itsekiri nation. He got away with it because there was no proper monitoring team.”
The activist challenged Hon. Diden to prove to the world and to the Itsekiri people a reputable bank slip or any form of evidence of payment of salaries paid to those numbering over 1,500 he employed for the job under the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to him three years ago where he ought to pay N120,000 to each worker monthly.
“I want to invite EFCC, ICPC and other relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate my allegations against Hon. Diden for the purpose of bringing him to book and to justice. He should not be allowed to go scot-free as he should be properly investigated using the law, justice and all who want the goodwill of the Itsekiri people and to serve as deterrent to others who have the same mind like Mr. Michael Diden mostly now that the NNPC surveillance contract is to be re-awarded,” he said.
He tendered apology to the Itsekiri people for the role he played in the emergence of Hon. Diden as a leader in Itsekiri nation, saying he never knew that Hon. Diden would betray the trust himself and others had for him.
