ACTION AID- Jibrin Berates Niger Delta Leaders for Poor Distribution of Proceeds from Natural Resources

The Head of Partnership and Local Government Programmes of Action Aid Nigeria, Hajia Suwaiba Yakubu Jibrin has described the unfairness in the distribution of the proceeds of the natural resources from the Niger Delta by their delegates as “injustice.”

Hajia Jibrin made the declaration at a one day Participatory Review and Reflection Process organized by the Environmental and Rural Mediation Centre,ENVIRUMEDIC in partnership with Action Aid Nigeria at Okuokoko, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

Hajia Jibrin noted that a large portion the nation’s  wealth from the Niger Delta are concentrated in the hands of few individuals while the people especially those at the rural areas wallow in abject poverty in the midst of plenty.

Hajia Jibrin noted that the people are left with no access roads while local government workers cry of non-payment of salaries due to poor representation from their fellow citizens.

Hajia Jibrin who just returned from a community in Delta State, Esaba Community in Ughelli South Local Government said the road is inaccessible while farmers cannot transport their farm produce to the market due to poor representation of the people by their leaders.

Hajia Jibrin claimed said it is as a result of greed from delegates from the various communities in the Niger Delta that the agricultural and other sectors are no longer function.

Hajia Jibrin opined that people at the Niger Delta supposed to benefit from the resources from their lands especially with the joint accounts being operated the states and local governments in addition to the 13% derivation and revenue.

According to Hajia Jubrin, “I find it hard to believe that the people of this area are poor. honestly, I find it hard to believe when they say the states and local governments operate a joint account. I find it hard to believe with the revenue available yet the state of schools are in bad shape. workers cry of non-payment of salaries the people in this area are supposed to be enjoying distribution of their resources but it is being controlled by a few individuals in this area.”

Hajia Jibrin appealed to the leaders of the various communities in the Niger Delta to try to impact the lives of the people they represent or govern with a view to developing the Niger Delta Area.

Hajia Jibrin charged delegates from the various communities in the Niger Delta to be accountable in the distribution of the proceeds of the resources to develop the area while journalists should do more of investigative journalism and support the people developmentally.

She also enjoined the Government to recruit more extension workers to increase agricultural activities in the area in other to create employment for the teeming youths and the even the elderly as provide food for the nation.

Stakeholders drawn from the media, local governments, farmers and CSOs at the participatory review and reflection process called on the federal government to grant autonomy to local governments while the joint accounts being operated by states and local governments be separated to aggressively develop the grass-roots.

They also called for proper monitoring of government institutions and the enforcements of government’s enabling laws to checkmate erring government officials and to curb corruption.

Mr. D.J.Foghi, Head of Agric Department in Ughelli South Local Government Council who hailed  ENVIRUMEDIC saying, “ they are working to compliment the efforts of the councils” which are currently face with paucity of funds.

Head of Agric Department in Ndokwa East, Mr. Esiedere .O. Philip said that Ossissa Community which was not motor able is now accessible with the contribution and efforts of ENVIRUMNEDIC who also train farmers and make fertilizers available to farmers at subsidized rates apart from ensuring peace building in the various communities in addition to gender equality.

Earlier in his opening speech, the Chief Executive Officer of ENVIRUMEDIC, Olorogun Monday Ogheneruona Itoghor said the one day participatory review and reflection process is to find out if the funds allocated to his establishment by Action Aid are utilized for the purpose it was provided by stakeholders.

Olorogun Itoghor noted that ENVIRUMEDIC has executed various projects in  thirteen communities in the last three years in three local government areas comprising Ndokwa North East, Ughelli South and Ughelli North . The communities abuator,  ossissa, obikwele, arhawharien, egboideh, otegbvo,otutuama,ophorigbala,esaba and okwemo, emonu, ugono, and ebor.

According to Olorogun Itoghor, “we have done a lot of physical projects like building hospitals, markets and rehabilitation of roads to eradicate poverty in our lands. We work with CSO’s, communities and government.