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Niger Delta activist and prominent Ijaw chief, His Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe, has called on governors of South-South states in Nigeria to come clean and tell the public how they expended the 13 percent oil revenue over the years before demanding for an increase to 50 percent, noting that the region and the oil and gas producing communities are impoverished and living in squalor.
Sara-Igbe, former image maker and public relations officer of Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) maintained that oil and gas producing and impacted communities should be given adequate attention, noting that the 13% derivation funds do not in any way reflect the true position of things in the oil bearing communities.
“Right from 1.5%, 3% and now 13%, the region is still wallowing in abject poverty without concrete infrastructures like portable water, electricity, quality jetties, reclamation, roads etc”, he stated.
The elder statesman noted that there is nothing wrong in the South-South governors’ demand, but faulted their inability to transform the region through the huge resources over the years.
He further disclosed that the activities of oil and gas explorations have destroyed the aquatic lives of the people of the region.
On the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, he expressed concerns over the report of the forensic audit, adding that names of those that mismanaged funds meant for the development of the region should be published and those liable should be made to face the music so as to serve as a deterrent to offenders in the future.
He also called for a robust and thorough constitution of the new board, pointing out that technocrats and persons of sound character should be appointed to man the affairs of the board.
He warned that if urgent steps are not taken to address the hydra-headed issues in the region, restiveness may continue to reign supreme, adding that credible ideas by the elders of the region should be adhered to for a more purposeful and glorious region.
The Ijaw chief also congratulated the newly elected executives of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Eastern Zone, advising them to promote Ijaw cause and carry everyone along in the scheme of things.
