…Calls For Diversification of Nation’s Economy

By Our Correspondent

THE Paramount ruler of Seimbiri kingdom and former national Chairman, ATROMPCON, His Royal Majesty, Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu (JP), OFR, has expressed worry over the dwindling price of crude oil in global market, theft of oil and vandalism of oil installations in the Niger Delta region, saying the only way to tackle challenges in the oil sector was the diversification of the nation’s economy.

His Royal Majesty, Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu (JP), OFR, Paramount ruler of Seimbiri kingdom.

The traditional ruler stated this in his palace at Okpokunou in Seimbiri Kingdom shortly after a forum of the Pere-in-council and urged Nigerians to be more patriotic towards building a more prosperous and well developed nation.

His Majesty, Pere (Dr) Charles Ayemi-Botu warned that successive generations will not forgive us, “if we do not have the interest of the country above parochial and self serving interest of winner takes all syndrome in governance and administration of Nigeria, we will perpetually remain in doldrums.”

He said; “We should always endeavour to imbibe in truth, honesty, fairness, equity,justice and righteousness and abhor ethno-religious tendencies, greed and brazen corruption, then Nigeria would take her pride of place. As a result of the ultra sensitive nature of Oil and Gas which is our major economic livelihood, the dire need of our rulers in government to be more patriotic and sincere about handling Oil matters is called to question.”

“Instances are abound from the military era to civilian dispensation. Like Chief Obasanjo was always accusing late Military Head of State, General Sani Abacha that he was always holding the Petroleum file close to his chest daily but when Chief Obasanjo became the President, he was also the Petroleum Minister for eight years and all that transpired is consigned to history. Thereafter it was the turn of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration which was not better off either which is currently under probe. However, now that President Muhammadu Buhari has taken over the affairs of governance with a view to sanitizing the Oil industry has equally assigned the Petroleum portfolio to himself. The big question is that what is special in the ministry of Petroleum Resources that our past and present Presidents/Military Heads of State have become indispensable with it. Is this the practice or what is obtained in other Oil Producing Countries in the world?” he stated.

The royal father noted that since Nigeria is a mono-cultural economy based on the Oil sector, the nation can achieve sustainable social-economic growth and development, only if Nigerian government and the citizens were patriotic, imploring Nigerians to participate in activities that will attract meaningful development to all parts of the country.

While advising the perpetrators of Oil related crimes in the Niger Delta region to desist forthwith from pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering which according to him has drastically reduced revenue generation from the states and Federal Government since Oil and Gas is the main economic livewire of the country, the traditional ruler urged them to support government’s efforts towards developing the Oil-rich region.

Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu, however appealed to government at all levels to invest in development projects and programmes in the Niger Delta so as to cushion the effects of Oil exploitation and exploration activities in the area.

The monarch commended Governor Okowa for the recent Oil and Gas Stakeholders Summit held at Effurun aimed at building a prosperous Delta State and charged Deltans from all walks of life to support the Governor in his efforts in building a state in which everyone has opportunities to prosper.

Meanwhile, Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu has advised the chiefs and people of Seimbiri Kingdom to contribute positively to the development of the riverine kingdom at all times.

The Seimbiri monarch gave the advice while speaking on the state of affairs in the kingdom, stressing that only deserving indigenes of the kingdom would be honoured while those with questionable character would be sanctioned.

The Pere-in-council had announced that Chief King Jerry Perebo, Chief Afore Birisine, Chief Ebigbolou Waterwei and Chief Rita Waterwei were stripped of their titles as a result of gross indiscipline and perpetual absenteeism inspite of warning and query.

Some Chiefs, including the Acting Secretary General of Seimbiri Traditional Council, Chief Dominic Enaretimi and the Perewarediowei, Chief Alex Ebisine urged the people to continue to support the Royal faith in his bid to transform Seimbiri Kingdom to an enviable height.