OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
Pere (Dr.) Charles Ayemi Botu, JP, OFR, paramount ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State has called on well meaning Nigerians to speak out against the despicable, pitiable and unhealthy state of Nigeria nation, particularly the Niger Delta Region.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Okpokunou, to mark his 73rd birthday and 27th coronation anniversary, Pere Ayemi-Botu, also known as “Lion of the Niger”, attributed the problem to massive corruption at both federal and state levels.
Pere Botu, a former National Chairman of TROMPCOM stressed that there must be concerted efforts to right the wrongs of the past as well as massive human and infrastructural development across the country, most especially the oil bearing communities.
According to Pere Ayemi-Botu, “the state of our beloved country, especially the Niger Delta region should be of great concern to every well meaning Nigerians. The problem was caused by massive corruption, avarice, nepotism, winner-takes-all syndrome, bigotry and ethno-religious dimension, that is being perpetrated by political leaders both at federal and state government levels to their selfish ends and detriment of those who elected them”.
The Monarch who was obviously touched by what he described as total neglect of the people, called for proper development of the Niger Delta region to equate with the level of degradation being suffered in the area as a result of oil exploration and exploitation.
He said President Mohammed Buhari and Chief Godswill Akpabio is making a mockery with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) adding that few individuals have hi-jacked the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC) for their selfish ends.
The Pere of Seimbiri Kingdom explained that he was in the fore front for the agitation for the creation of 13% derivation fund, the NDDC and DESOPADEC, stressing that what is happening in the two interventionist agencies now was not what was bargained for.
The Paramount ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom added, “the law passed by the Delta State House of Assembly made the derivation fund 50/50. The government has 50% and the oil Producing communities 50% of the 13%. Despite this legal document, contractors are not paid for jobs executed, ongoing jobs abandoned since 2018 and no new jobs awarded, undermining the fact that Delta State is the highest in oil production”.
He spoke further, “for NDDC, it is unfortunate that Mr. President decided to allow Akpabio to be messing up with the interventionist agency. Unhealthy politics has enveloped the Commission.”
The First Class Ijaw traditional ruler tasked the Federal and State Governments to monitor closely activities of the Interventionist agencies to ensure they deliver their mandate to the people.
The Ijaw monarch further added, “the federal and state Interventionist agencies of NDDC and DESOPADEC are to alleviate and provide food and shelter to the age long, grossly marginalized people of oil bearing communities. Some persons are now carting away same funds, using their political might to control the oil wealth at their whims and caprices hence the unending call to restructure Nigeria without further delay”.
King Ayemi-Botu remarked that Nigeria cannot be better off in the hands of the colonial masters than its citizens, he then called for a better deal for Nigerians, especially the people of Niger Delta region as the region is the economic life wire of the country.
He explained that restructuring will among other things allow regions control their resources, including Oil and gas, solid minerals, Cocoa and others, while Government manage it.
The Monarch appealed to both Federal and States Government to pursue policies and programmes that would improve the living standards of Nigerians.
