The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), has warned ministers from the Niger Delta region, not to fight over who should control the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
This is as it congratulated ministers from the region who made the ministerial list and had been assigned portfolios by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
MOSIEND, in a statement by its national president, Comrade Kennedy Tonjo West, thanked Tinubu for giving opportunity to trustworthy personalities from the Niger Delta to serve in his government; saying the move was in order.
West urged the newly designated ministers to close ranks and work towards promoting regional development and economic growth.
He described the appointment as putting square pegs in square holes because those chosen are seasoned technocrats and consummate politicians who have made their marks in previous national assignments and undertakings.
The MOSIEND president expressed optimism that Tinubu will get equal value for their appointments, as the new ministers mean business.
West said, “We advice the ministers from the region to close ranks as they promote regional peace, cohesion and development. They should avoid the pitfalls made by the past ministers from the region who did not work in synergy, but allowed superior personalities who had the President’s ears to tear them.
“These sentiments blinded the sense of unity, regional growth and development – wasting the entire 8 years of the Buhari-administration.
“But we cannot blame President Buhari for the developmental setbacks of the region because he gave equal opportunity to all his ministers – and whether or not such opportunities were used effectively for the development of the region is not his concern.
“Today, another opportunity has been given to illustrious sons of the region to serve in this government and we are expecting synergy, understanding and love – bearing in mind the overall development of the region.
“President Bola Tinubu GCFR and the people of the region are believing that, as ambassadors from the region, they will bring the dividends of democracy to the region – beyond serving their official office demands effectively and efficiently.
“The President is hoping that they will use the opportunity to promote cohesive, improved welfare and development of the region.
“We advice that they support each other and avoid making the mistakes of their predecessors. They should avoid oppression and not do anything that will create an impression that they are opposition to the state Governors – either because of party divide or sentiments.
“We advice them to support the revalidation and continuation of the current NDDC Board which is the popular wish of the people of the region.
“They should also work with the Senators, house of reps members, Niger Delta governors and other stakeholders so that the region can move forward, and they should not engage in any feud over the NDDC like their predecessors.
“Often times, it is the choice of who nominates the members of the NDDC Board for one political patronage or the other that usually ignites the feud amongst ministers from the region, and we don’t want that kind of disaffection in this administration.
“As a people, we respect them and have no doubt about their capabilities to deliver on their mandates, but we will also appeal that they support the continuity of the NDDC management board.”
