ON THE DEMAND FOR SOUTH-SOUTH GOVERNORS' ACCOUNTABILITY OF 13% DERIVATION - A LEGITIMATE DEMAND THAT REQUIRES ANSWERS
November 30, 2020 | News
With recent reports that a reported coalition of nine militant groups, under the auspices of Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), has asked the Federal Government to disregard the seven-point demands of South-South Governors, until they start releasing the 13 per cent derivation fund directly to the oil-producing communities,
ON THE DEMAND FOR SOUTH-SOUTH GOVERNORS' ACCOUNTABILITY OF 13% DERIVATION - A LEGITIMATE DEMAND THAT REQUIRES ANSWERS
With recent reports that a reported coalition of nine militant groups, under the auspices of Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), has asked the Federal Government to disregard the seven-point demands of South-South Governors, until they start releasing the 13 per cent derivation fund directly to the oil-producing communities, and also account for about N50 trillion derivation fund they had so far received from the Federal Government. While I strongly believe this is a valid and legitimate demand that deserves all the answers and attention required. However, we hope that these new set of militants will not eventually turn out to be like the now ex-militants, whose track record of supposed struggle for the region in the past was never a good one. It is also sad that it is these so-called former militants that are the ones deciding who to become governors in some of the South-South States like Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers. And by virtue of this sad situation, the governors, amongst other things, help them to foot their bills and accumulate wealth for them too. Which makes one to wonder if there will be any difference between these new militants and the ex-militants, and how they relate and work with the politicians because their aims for doing whatever they do, are never really genuine and in the overall interests of the locals.
Though, it was noted that the said demands of the South-South Governors do not present the generality interests of the oil and gas producing communities of the oil rich region, but like I said, the demands required from the South-South governors, are very relevant.
It is no news that the past and present South-South Niger Delta Governors and their Deputies; the past and present NDDC Directors and top management staff; all past and present State Commissioners, Local Government Council Chairmen/Councilors/Supervisory Councilors, etc., have all had their hands stained with misappropriated and stolen public wealth meant to develop and transform the region and the living standards of the people. As such, they should be held accountable for every dime gotten from the Federal Government, including other sources and their internally generated revenues meant to make life a lot better for the people.
All their assets and properties, except the ones which their legitimate salaries can purchase, should be forfeited to their respective States and Local Government Councils, and the proceeds used to uplift the lives and living standards of the locals.
It is a known fact that all the monies accrued to their respective States are more than enough to holistically develop their States and areas, to look like the present day Dubai. These people deserve no pity, for creating and worsening the growing levels of poverty, hardships and sufferings daily witnessed by the locals of the South-South in the Niger Delta. Enough of the stealing of public wealth. It is time to make them account for everything. The truth is, the State Governors cannot be making demands from the Federal Government when they themselves, have not been accountable for every dime that comes to their States from the Federal Government.
Again, while this is a welcome development, it will only work and be considered valid if only the younger generation of youths of the South-South, should reject whatever kind of 'greek gifts' and brown envelopes that might be presented to them by State governors, to keep them quiet.
Let us recall that the first set of the Niger-Delta militants who had towed this similar path in the past, have all become billionaires without any evidence of working hard and doing legitimate business. I believe that an agitator for any cause, should not sell his or her rights and integrity over a plate of rice. I understand the times that we are in now, but ones integrity should never be compromised for any reason, especially when you are struggling for a just cause that would be in the overall interests of all.
The likes of Nelson Mandela of South-Africa, practically lived on goodwill, as they maintained their stand and struggle for the people. That is why Mandela's name became sort of a brand name that advertised goods and services, and remembered for good. But it is different story here. Which of the ex-militants' leaders that are not a billionaires today? What were the wealth status of the ex-militants before their agitations? That is why many believe that these new set of militants today, might not be honest and sincere in their agitations, just like the South-South politicians have not been either. They did all that to accumulate wealth.
Just precisely on 24th November 2020, a friend pointed to me the premises of the brother of one of the ex-militants, in Warri/Effurun areas, and I shunned my friend, asking him if the said premises was acquired and owned through hard work? So, this is just the problem I have with the said demands for accountability by the South-South Governors, as stated by the said coalition of militants. Perhaps, with time, we would see the outcome of these developments.
Zik Gbemre.
November 30, 2020
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
With recent reports that a reported coalition of nine militant groups, under the auspices of Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), has asked the Federal Government to disregard the seven-point demands of South-South Governors, until they start releasing the 13 per cent derivation fund directly to the oil-producing communities, and also account for about N50 trillion derivation fund they had so far received from the Federal Government. While I strongly believe this is a valid and legitimate demand that deserves all the answers and attention required. However, we hope that these new set of militants will not eventually turn out to be like the now ex-militants, whose track record of supposed struggle for the region in the past was never a good one. It is also sad that it is these so-called former militants that are the ones deciding who to become governors in some of the South-South States like Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers. And by virtue of this sad situation, the governors, amongst other things, help them to foot their bills and accumulate wealth for them too. Which makes one to wonder if there will be any difference between these new militants and the ex-militants, and how they relate and work with the politicians because their aims for doing whatever they do, are never really genuine and in the overall interests of the locals.
Though, it was noted that the said demands of the South-South Governors do not present the generality interests of the oil and gas producing communities of the oil rich region, but like I said, the demands required from the South-South governors, are very relevant.
It is no news that the past and present South-South Niger Delta Governors and their Deputies; the past and present NDDC Directors and top management staff; all past and present State Commissioners, Local Government Council Chairmen/Councilors/Supervisory Councilors, etc., have all had their hands stained with misappropriated and stolen public wealth meant to develop and transform the region and the living standards of the people. As such, they should be held accountable for every dime gotten from the Federal Government, including other sources and their internally generated revenues meant to make life a lot better for the people.
All their assets and properties, except the ones which their legitimate salaries can purchase, should be forfeited to their respective States and Local Government Councils, and the proceeds used to uplift the lives and living standards of the locals.
It is a known fact that all the monies accrued to their respective States are more than enough to holistically develop their States and areas, to look like the present day Dubai. These people deserve no pity, for creating and worsening the growing levels of poverty, hardships and sufferings daily witnessed by the locals of the South-South in the Niger Delta. Enough of the stealing of public wealth. It is time to make them account for everything. The truth is, the State Governors cannot be making demands from the Federal Government when they themselves, have not been accountable for every dime that comes to their States from the Federal Government.
Again, while this is a welcome development, it will only work and be considered valid if only the younger generation of youths of the South-South, should reject whatever kind of 'greek gifts' and brown envelopes that might be presented to them by State governors, to keep them quiet.
Let us recall that the first set of the Niger-Delta militants who had towed this similar path in the past, have all become billionaires without any evidence of working hard and doing legitimate business. I believe that an agitator for any cause, should not sell his or her rights and integrity over a plate of rice. I understand the times that we are in now, but ones integrity should never be compromised for any reason, especially when you are struggling for a just cause that would be in the overall interests of all.
The likes of Nelson Mandela of South-Africa, practically lived on goodwill, as they maintained their stand and struggle for the people. That is why Mandela's name became sort of a brand name that advertised goods and services, and remembered for good. But it is different story here. Which of the ex-militants' leaders that are not a billionaires today? What were the wealth status of the ex-militants before their agitations? That is why many believe that these new set of militants today, might not be honest and sincere in their agitations, just like the South-South politicians have not been either. They did all that to accumulate wealth.
Just precisely on 24th November 2020, a friend pointed to me the premises of the brother of one of the ex-militants, in Warri/Effurun areas, and I shunned my friend, asking him if the said premises was acquired and owned through hard work? So, this is just the problem I have with the said demands for accountability by the South-South Governors, as stated by the said coalition of militants. Perhaps, with time, we would see the outcome of these developments.
Zik Gbemre.
November 30, 2020
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes