The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), has cautioned Niger Deltans against promoting ethnic rivalry due to the recently awarded pipeline surveillance contract.
It stated that the award of the security and surveillance of petroleum pipelines across the Niger Delta region by the government to some indigenous contractors from the region, should rather promote regional cohesion.
MOSIEND President, Kennedy Tonjo West, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to jettison any petition aimed at denigrating the reputation of any Niger Delta son.
The statement reads: “Following the recent award of contracts for security and surveillance of petroleum pipelines across the Niger Delta Region by the government to some indigenous contractors from the region, some non-state actors across different ethnic nationalities within and outside the Niger Delta region had been hitting hard, expressing disaffection, threatening and issuing one ultimatum after another.
“Some even went as far as transmitting letters to Mr President degrading the hard earned reputation of our illustrious sons who had done them no wrong; their crime being that they occupy offices in the government establishment that is perceived to be in charge of the contract.
“We are asking Mr President to disregard such petition as the fact stated therein is unfounded, lack substance and ill orchestrated.
“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited now a private business outfit has said in response to some uninformed agitation that the contract was awarded with strict adherence to the Procurement Act and that the companies were qualified and we think that they deserve commendation for getting it right.
“As a group, we are calling for caution because the Federal Government in their wisdom deemed it right to involve community participation in addition to the military’s dedicated efforts in the fight against illegal bunkering and oil theft in the region.
“This singular policy by the government is already generating employment for thousands of previously jobless youths within the communities who are now trained and engaged by the companies in line with their contractual obligations.
“As co-travellers, who share the same polluted environment and have suffered losses from oil-related activities, we should learn to put our common interest above all and show our adversaries that we love ourselves.
“We should cooperate, tolerate and respect each other, promote harmonious relationships, support and share in the success of our neighbours. We should also avoid intimidating any tribe or ethnic Nationality due to their size or educational standing.”
