By Christopher Odamah, Bomadi
The leadership of Ijaw nationality in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari over his victory in the just concluded presidential election, just as they passed a confidence vote on the leadership of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who is Minister for State, Petroleum.
In a communiqué recently issued at the end of a meeting of Delta State Ijaw Apc/ Ex-militants held at Akugbene Townhall, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, they resolved to pass a vote of confidence on Dr. Ibe Kachikwu on his achievements in the oil and gas industry..
The communique added that it is their strong believe that President Buhari deserve the second tenure to enable him consolidate on his various people oriented policies and programmes that has immensely affected the youths of Nigeria and Niger Delta region in particular.
”It is in pursuance of these people oriented programmes such as the N-Power that we are confident that the President re-election will further expand the fortunes of the youths of our state. We, therefore use this medium to reassure you of our unalloyed support to enable you take the Nation in general and Delta State in particular to the next level,” it stated.
According to the statement “We want to use this medium to warn against ethnic campaign and those trying everything possible to blackmail Honourable minister for the good works done to uplift the performances of this present administration.”
The statement read thus, ”Delta Ijaw APC in collaboration with the Ex-militants, said the benefits derived from the President’s appointment of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu as the Minister of State for Petroleum cannot be exhausted. Dr. Ibe Kachikwu is a strong force in the establishment of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Gbaramatu Kingdom. A singular event that was instrumental to the massive restoration of peace, the reduction of youth restiveness and social vices, while also revamping the economy of the state.”
”The Honourable Minister who is well grounded and knowledgeable with the oil sector also embarked on other measure aimed at actively engaging and empowering the Youths of Niger Delta by ensuring that licences were given for ten modular Refineries to be built in Niger Delta areas. The purpose is to create jobs and put a stop to illegal refining thereby boosting the economy. Under Dr. Ibe Kachikwu as Minister of State for Petroleum, queues in our Filling Stations are no more as Products are readily available. He achieved this through accountability and transparency that has been lacking in the affairs of this very important Sector of the Nigerian economy,” it posited.
Furthermore, ”Dr. Ibe Kachikwu’s tenure as Minister of State of Petroleum Resources has also witnessed an increase in the production of oil as he was able to quell the agitations of the Niger Delta Avengers thereby minimizing attacks on Oil installations across the Niger Delta region. Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, as a card carrying member of APC has also not been relenting in his desire to ensure that the party colours are flying fully in all states of the Federation.”
The communique added that, ”We are mindful of his contributions towards the progress of the party and the various moves he made to ensure that the APC in Delta State, though drawn apart by factions, still approached the elections as a united house. It is in line with these, amongst others that we, the APC card –carrying members that cuts across the Ijaw speaking LGAs of Delta South under the leadership of the LGA Chairmen of both factions and the Ex-militants resolved to pass a vote of confidence on Dr. Ibe Kachikwu on his achievements in the oil and gas industry.”
They, however, appealed to the President Buhari to re-engage Dr. Kachikwu in a higher capacity since he has distinguished himself as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to Consolidate on his laudable achievements in line with the Next Level Agenda.
