Posted by Niger Delta Youth Council
Group calls for reinstatement of Chief Okumagba- led NDDC board
The Urhobo Liberation Movement (ULM) has urged the Federal Government to reinstate the Chief Bernard Okumagba- led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board for fairness and equity.
The movement conveners; Mr Jator Abido; Mr collins Ufuoma Achakpekri and Mr Joshua Akowien made the call in a statement issued in Asaba, Delta.
The group said that the Okumagba led board remained the best option given the potentials therein in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta and as host community to major oil wells and companies in the country.
It expressed hope that with the resource potentials therein in the territory which traverses land and coastal areas, reinstating the Okumagba-led board would enable the Federal Government to tap the full resources from the area to the benefit of the people of Niger Delta.
According the movement, Chief Okumagba is the best man to manage the NDDC Board, as an Urhobo Man from the Okere Urhobo kingdom of Warri south LGA which is an host community with a stake in Oml 34.
“He is maternally from Udu LGA with a stake in OML 65, and his personality will be viable for the NDDC.
“Urhobo land has 15 oil and gas fields with over 600 oil wells.
“The Utorogu Gas Plant in Otu-Jeremi is the largest gas plant in Africa, south of the Sahara.
“The Land has two gas-fired electricity plants at Ughelli and Sapele.
“Aside oil and gas, the Urhobo Land is endowed with other mineral resources such as Sand, Silica, Kaolin, Clay, Byrite and forest resources; Timber, Oil palm, Raffia Palm and Rubber.
” The area has eight rivers with access to the Atlantic Ocean, a seaport and several jetties.
“But due to crude and Gas exploration and pollution, other resources have remained untapped and lay waste all these years,” ULM said.
The group noted that the Okumagba-led board has the capacity to manage and explore these resource potentials and engage the people with a view to creating wealth from waste.