....Says It Is Diebiri Turn To Produce The Next Ijaw Ethnic Nationality Board Member/Commissioner
Francis Tayor
Warri-------- The people of Diebiri, the fifth ljaw highest oil producing Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has kicked against the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Dr Senator. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, on his lopsided constitution and reappointment of Gbaramatu son as member into the Board of DESOPADEC to represent ljaw Ethnic Nationality.
The people decried that, the renomination of Gbaramatu son by Governor Okowa is an injustice,marginalization and a day robbery meted against Diebiri kingdom, holding to the facts that, Diebiri is the fifth Ijaw highest oil producing kingdom in Delta State, and host to Shell/NPDC, Nigerian Gas Company etc.
According to the Diebiri people in a Press Statement jointly signed by Mr.Michael Douglas (Chairman Diebiri Governing Council), Mr. Kingsley Oluba (Secretary), Hon.Moses Douglas (Leader of thought), Mr.Henry Suoware (Leader of thought) and Dcn. Wellington Igetei said, " Diebiri kingdom is one among the five Ijaw Kingdoms that produces oil and gas in Delta state. Diebiri owns the Batan oil field with Batan oil flowing station and over 35 oil wells with various oil pipe lines of Shell/NPDC, Nigerian Gas Company etc criss-crossing Diebiri Kingdom.By production quantum, Diebiri is the fifth oil producing kingdom in Delta state and as such contribute to the main stay and growth of Delta state economy and Nigeria at large."
The people reiterated that, the deliberate attempt by governor Okowa in denial of Diebiri membership in the Board of DESOPADEC or as Commissioner is the highest marginalization ever witnessed since the creation of HOSTCOM and DESOPADEC.
In backing up their argument, the people highlighted in brief the previous occupants of DESOPADEC from the five major oil producing kingdoms except Diebiri.
According to them," when the board of DESOPADEC was established, a son of Gbaramatu Kingdom in the person of Chief. Wellington Okrika became the pioneer Chairman.Then,Ogulagha Kingdom produced Commissioner in the person of late Francis Temewei. Egbema kingdom produced Engr. Philip Gbasen as Executive Director.
Again, Gbaramatu Kingdom produced Commissioner in the person of Barr.Kingsley Otuaro,who is the current Deputy Governor of Delta State.Thereafter, Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom produces Chief.Favour Izoukumor, who is the immediate past Commissioner of the board, thereby relegating Diebiri kingdom to nothing.
Based on the analysis presented above, it is Diebiri Kingdom that has not represented the DESOPADEC Board from the oil producing kingdoms from the Ijaw ethnic nationality. Therefore, it is human to justify Diebiri kingdom to produce the next Executive Director or the Commissioner, but unfortunately, the reverse is the case."
However, in respect of the above, the people of Diebiri Kingdom are calling on the governor of Delta state, Senator Dr.Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa to correct the anomality and injustice by nominating Diebiri son as member for the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Board of DESOPADEC.
The statement further adds that, for the renomination of a Gbaramatu man at this time who in many occasions has represented the board is an error. Therefore, we called on governor Okowa to do the needful by nominating Diebiri son for the interest of peace, equity, fairness and justice to reign at the helm of affairs in the commission.
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