Response of the Ijaw Diasporal Council (IDC), on the official visit of the Ijaw National Congress to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) at the Presidential villa in Abuja on Thursday June 24th, 2021.
We are happy that the President has finally acknowledged the oppressive environmental and political challenges the Ijaws are facing in Nigeria.
His assertion that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency is determined to ensure the vigilant management, reduction and prevention of oil spills by multinational oil companies is noted.
Oil spills are increasingly becoming a global environmental concern. The recent Dundika spill of North Central Russia is one case in point.
The compliance of oil prospecting and exploration companies to the best international practices must be rigorously enforced by all relevant regulatory bodies.
The relocation of the headquarters of all oil companies’ operational bases to Ijaw land as urged by Prof Benjamin Okaba on behalf of INC, is long overdue.
We urge timely inauguration of the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as promised by Minister Akpabio.
The President’s promise regarding the completion of the East-West road and the Bonny to Port Harcourt Bridge is a promise we the Ijaw community, both domestic and in the diaspora are looking forward to seeing materialize in the shortest possible time.
Lastly, Professor Okaba’s call for the re-development and upgrading of the various major ports in the Niger Delta area as a viable means of curbing the rate of joblessness and antisocial activities of youths, as well as providing viable and sustainable economic growth, is an aspiration the IDC strongly supports.
We hope this initiated engagement between the federal government and the Ijaws will be mutually beneficial.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Akponwei (Pastor)
Director of Public Relations
Ijaw Diasporal Council
Ijawdiaspora@gmail.com
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