Rights Group Tackles Minister On Niger Delta Projects

Members of the Talakawa Parliament, a human rights group,  yesterday backed the Benin National Congress (BNC) to condemn alleged marginalisation of Edo South Senatorial District in project distribution by the Ministry of Niger Delta Development Affairs headed by Alhaji Abubakar Momoh.

The  group also berated the Benin Unity Forum (BUF) for antagonising the Benin National Congress (BNC) over their submission to National Assembly on  the alleged marginalisation. 

Talakawa Parliament in a press statement  signed by the acting secretary, Comrade Osas Agbonamwanre,

said members had adopted both oral and written submissions  of the  Benin National Congress (BNC) which condemned the action  of the minister who was alleged to have sited five projects of the ministry in Edo North, without  recourse to the real oil producing communities in Edo State.

The statement said: “The members cum leaders of Talakawa’s Parliament wish to adopt both the oral and written   submission of the Benin National Congress (BNC) under the able  leadership of Comrade Aiyamekhue Edokpolo and Mr. Maxwel Uwagboe , President and Secretary respectively on the reckless abandonment and marginalization of Edo South by the Minister of Niger Delta Development Affairs, when he blatantly influenced five major capital projects which are to be  sited in Edo North, primarily the  village  he hails and elsewhere in the non-oil producing areas of Edo North.

“It is very sad that Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon and Ovia North East local government areas that have huge deposits of oil and natural gas are still crying for development in the midst of billions of naira acruable to the ministry. 

It must be noted that one of the core mandates of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is to train and educate the youths of the oil rich region to curb hostilities and militancy, while developing key infrastructure to promote economic and manpower diversification and productivity. 

“It is very obvious that the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry has failed woefully in the discharge of its responsibility thereby promoting hostilities and militancy in disguise in Edo South Senatorial District,” the group said.