Ijaw group urges Presidency, NASS to suspend NDDC budget

The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, (MOSIEND), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to stay action on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) budget for 2021.

The National President of MOSIEND, Mr Kennedy Tonjo-West, made this call on Tuesday during the official inauguration of the National Executive members of the group, which took place in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

Tonjo-West expressed displeasure that, from the 2019 Budget, one cannot trace any project to any community in the Niger Delta where the fund was expended, and further called on President Buhari to urgently constitute a substantive Board for the Commission.

He said it was very necessary, so that Niger Deltan people can engage the NDDC, know how much is appointed to the various communities and also hold the commission responsible whenever the need arises.

He stated that the leadership of MOSIEND will engage the Federal Government in many areas, especially on some extant laws that do not protect the interest of the Ijaw ethnic nationality and the entire people of the Niger Delta.

Tonjo-West noted that the Ijaw Nation is totally against the Water Resources Bill because it is targeted at impoverishing the Ijaws.

He stated that they are no longer satisfied with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also called on the international community and the Nigerian State to take note that the Ijaws want a referendum.

The MOSIEND National President said the referendum is necessary to know the direction of the Niger Delta people – and that, if the country is to remain as one entity, there is need for a fresh constitution which will give one hundred percent resource ownership to Niger Deltans, as well as justice and fairness to all.

He stated that the Ijaw nation is no longer comfortable with the 13 percent derivation to oil producing communities, and also called on governors of the Niger Delta region and other critical stakeholders to open their doors for engagement with MOSIEND.

Kennedy-West frowned at the recent increase in fuel price, and also assured that MOSIEND will engage the over 40 ethnic nationalities within the Niger Delta region – to begin the process of advancing the liberation of the region.

The just inaugurated members of the National Executive council of MOSIEND are: Kennedy  Tonjo West – President, Thompson Robert Fuoye – Vice President, Amb. Cotterel Amain – Secretary, Charles Omusuku – Spokesman, Chief Henry Nabena – Treasurer

Others are Prince Amaibi Hornby – Financial Secretary, Tonbra Kasikoro Klioprite – Woman Leader, Alhaji Barasei Amaigo Brown – Mobilization Officer, Opukeme Obubor – Director of Operations, Dimieari Pepple – Deputy National Organizing Secretary.

The 14 member EXCO also include David Dasembo – Assistant National Secretary, Kelvin Akuna – Ex officio, Prince Oweibi – Ex officio and Chief Richman Yinbiri – National Director of Cultural Affairs.