Niger Delta
Niger Delta must be cleaned up before Shell can sell assets, exit, says Edwin Clark
***IYC threatens to shut down all operations if their demands are not met
The leader of the Ijaw nation and elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has declared that the Niger Delta and the Ijaw nation can no longer tolerate the exploitation by multinational Oil companies especially the The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC)
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja when he received a delegation of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) who paid him a courtesy call led by their national Vice President Atigbi Freedom he urged the Multinationals to first clean up the oil spills in the Niger Delta before exit and sale of their assets
The IYC had drawn the attention of chief Clark to the plan of Shell to sell their assets as they prepare to exit despite the effect of the oil spillage and the degradation of their environment with all the attendant health hazards on the people.
Continuing Clark said Niger Delta can no longer tolerate the injustice adding that it is unfair and unacceptable as they will explore all legal options
“I have a list of court issues containing 147 cases taken against Shell and some of the oil companies, more of them are coming. Enough is enough we can no longer tolerate their exploitation.
“If You go to Gbagada today Chevron has an estate there. Their workers who work in Niger Delta don’t pay their taxes to Niger Delta because they live in Lagos.
“There could not have been Lekki if Chevron, Mobile and other companies are not there.
Can you imagine a situation whereby NNPC which was established in 1977 to look after the oil industry, one would have expected that the capital would be in Niger Delta possibly in Portharcourt.
“No those who feel that they own this country would put it wherever they want. Out of 11 members appointed by the President the chairman very qualified, he is from Akoko in Ondo State, five of the 11 members are from the North, the only two executive directors are from the North.
“South East have one. The President of the senate Godswill Akpabio gave one to a lady who was commissioner in his government when he was governor Akwa Ibom State.
“Miki is very well qualified from Ogoni, and I know who put him there. Delta State at the moment is the leading oil producing State, not a single person from Delta. Bayelsa State another major oil producing State no person was appoint but people who have nothing to do with the oil industry they are thereof supervising, maintaining treating us as strangers in our own home?
“This can not continue, the situation whereby Almighty God gave the Niger Delta the resources. We are living in a very difficult terrain. We give you this oil to compensate but those who believe that Nigeria belongs to them said no. When the white leaves they will take over for us to be colonized by Nigerians again.
Clark declared, “These are my grand children, you know I am the leader of our people. I did not buy it, they.made me. In 1975, March in Bomodi the entire Ijaw gathered, traditional leaders, politicians, ministers gathered to honour me with the Title Izon leader. A man who look at the interest of the Ijaw people.
“Since then I have been a leader, I have not betrayed then. They came to me to report the new development. I agree with them that we will follow the issue in a legal way.”
The spokesperson of the Council Ambassador Binabai Yerin Princewill indicated that the Federal Government and the Shell Development Company is now selling off their functional assets in Niger Delta.
“So the IYC met and addressed the press rejecting what they are planning to do. We are not in tandem with that until the Ijaw people are carried along.
“Until the Niger Delta people are included in this process because our environment had been destroyed, damaged, our environment has been violated and abused for so many years. “Shell is yet to even clean up our environment properly and now they are talking about selling off the assets. Most of these assets are in Ijaw land. Now they have not done the clean up and they want to sell the assets to other people with out recourse to the Niger Delta indegenes, Ijaw people whose lands these facilities are located.”
“For us we see that as an insult and this is another form of neocolonization. We are not going to accept it until the Ijaw people are carried along this time around. That is the reason we addressed the Press Conference.
The deputy President of the Council Atigbi Freedom said since the Tinubu administration came into office they have been following some of the antecedents of his government.
“Just a few months ago, Agip assets were also sold to crannies and friends and political allies of this government. The stake of the Niger Delta people that are working in these companies nobody knows
“Following from that development is the purported rumor, and from our findings, we have also gotten some of the names of these cronnies and none of the Niger Delta persons, most especially the Ijaw people was comsidered
“We have people who are very deep in this oil business. We have seen it as the style of this government that has constantly been using state power to use people clandestinely to acquire the assets, most especially in the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta at large
“Today, the president is planning to move certain assets and multinationals to Lagos. If he wants to be fair to himself, some of these assets they are moving to Lagos are supposed to be in the Niger Delta
“If this was the way our brother Goodluck Jonathan operated when he was in government, I do not think they would have tolerated him.
“We have come to brief you, for us in this nightmare we are not going to end our speech with mere briefing and political statements, that is why we are reaching out to you as our father and any other person in Niger. “We have seen Tompolo, Asari Dokubo, and every other stakeholders and political leaders who matter in this country
“If Shell fails to meet our demands by the grace of God Almighty, we will shut down every operation that is taking place in Niger Delta. We would not allow those individuals from other parts of this country to come and operate these facilities, and we will take steps to mobilize all structures.
“This is why we want to seek advice and counsel from our leaders that if they do not acceed to our demands, we will shut down all operations of Shell and other multinational companies in the Niger Delta
“When we begin to take this action, the world will be crying to you that your sons have started again. We know the Nigerian State will be at your neck. The international community will be on your neck to call the boys to order. You will now say my children you cannot do this with telling me?
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed confidence in its recently inaugurated a high-level Peace and Reconciliation Committee, tasked with resolving political crises in the South-South region.
The committee, chaired by former Akwa Ibom State Governor Chief Obong Victor Attah, was established at PANDEF’s Special General Assembly in Port Harcourt on October 24, 2024.
The new committee includes prominent figures such as former Senate Whip Senator Rowland Owie, former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah (rtd.), and Ambassador Dr. Godknows Igali, who also serves as PANDEF’s newly appointed National Chairman.
The committee is set to mediate lingering conflicts in the region, focusing on fostering unity and sustainable peace among communities.
Dr. Igali expressed optimism about the initiative, emphasizing that the committee will provide a platform for all voices to be heard. “The mandate of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee is to engage with key stakeholders, resolve conflicts, and strengthen bonds within the Niger Delta community,” he said.
The leadership of PANDEF has urged the government, civil society organizations, and community leaders to work collaboratively with the committee to bring lasting peace to the Niger Delta.
In his statement, PANDEF National Spokesman Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Christopher Ominimini assured that all underlying issues will be addressed, affirming PANDEF’s commitment to fostering unity in the region.
The committee’s first steps are expected to include consultations across states in the South-South geopolitical zone, aiming to set the groundwork for reconciliation and renewed cooperation within the Niger Delta.
The recent dissolution of the Itsekiri National Youths Council (INYC) executive by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has stirred debate within the Itsekiri community, with INYC Adviser Comrade Emiko Oghomienor challenging the monarch’s authority to make such a decision.
The Olu of Warri announced the dissolution at his palace, citing the INYC’s alleged failure to adopt a new constitution and conduct elections.
In response, the palace appointed leaders from the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates and the National Association of Itsekiri Students (NAIS) to draft a new INYC constitution, with Chiefs Omolubi Newuwumi and Wilson Olley serving as advisers to the committee.
However, Oghomienor argued that only the INYC’s Board of Trustees has the constitutional power to dissolve the council’s leadership.
He stated that the current executive, led by Comrade Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro and Acting President Comrade Godwin Utieyin, is set to serve until December 2024, with established procedures governing any potential dissolution.
“The Olu of Warri is traditionally presented with INYC leadership for royal blessing, but does not oversee its election process,” Oghomienor said, emphasizing that INYC’s creation came from the vision of patriotic Itsekiri leaders independent of the monarchy’s influence.
He affirmed that the current leadership would complete its term, with future elections to follow the council’s existing constitution, allowing for any necessary amendments.
The development highlights differing perspectives within the Itsekiri community on the role of traditional authority in youth organization governance, underscoring ongoing efforts to maintain INYC’s autonomy.
According to the new development,
“In the interim, the Palace has immediately appointed Presidents of the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates and National Association of Itsekiri Students (NAIS) as the core of a committee to draft a new constitution for INYC, with Chief Omolubi Newuwumi and Chief Wilson Olley working as Advisers”, the announcement stated.
But reacting through a statement on Tuesday, Oghomienor, maintained that only the Board of Trustees of INYC is statutorily empowered to dissolve the association.
He said :” Even the Board of Trustees of INYC, which is constitutional empowered to dissolve exco of the body, has laid down procedures that must be followed, whenever the necessity arises.
“In this instance, there’s no need to announce dissolution of the current leadership of INYC, led by Comrade Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro, with Comrade Godwin Utieyin Acting as President. The tenure of the current INYC leadership terminates December 2024, which is barely two months away, one now wonders the bases on which the purported dissolution was announced. ”
“The issue that was on ground for days, was exploring ways to amend the existing constitution of INYC, not drafting a new constitution as being insinuated.
“The Olu of Warri, right from the inception of INYC, is only presented with leadership of the body for royal blessing, not determining the process of electing INYC executive.
“For the records, INYC was birthed as a result critical circumstances, by very mature, patriotic and forward thinking Itsekiris, it’s not a body for children or inexperienced youths.”
Oghomienor, emphasized: “I am not aware of any ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta or other parts of Nigeria, where traditional rulers or institutions, delve into the election of youth executive for ethnic nationalities.
“The current leadership of INYC, will see their tenure through and election of new exco, will be done in – line with the existing constitution of INYC, subject to further amendments.”
***Moves to reconcile Wike, Fubara
At a crucial assembly held in Port Harcourt, the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the decision to abolish the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
In addition, they highlighted the need for urgent investments in regional infrastructure and increased local participation in the oil sector to address the long-standing challenges in the Niger Delta.
The Special General Assembly, hosted by Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, convened government officials, traditional leaders, and representatives of youth and women’s organizations.
Focused on the theme, “Fostering Peace and Unity for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta,” the assembly urged action on several critical issues to boost the region’s economic future.
In a communique signed by PANDEF Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen HE King Alfred Diette-Spiff and HE Obong Victor Attah, the assembly voiced opposition to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs’ dissolution, advocating for either its reinstatement or the creation of a South-South Commission dedicated to the region’s needs.
The statement noted, “The Ministry was established to address specific issues related to the Niger Delta’s unique environmental challenges and economic importance. The decision to dissolve it lacked consultation with critical stakeholders and fails to consider the circumstances that led to its creation.”
PANDEF also emphasized the urgency of resolving conflicts among regional leaders.
To this end, they announced the establishment of a High-Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee, led by Obong Victor Attah, to mediate disputes, including the ongoing rift between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This committee aims to foster stability and cooperation within the Niger Delta.
The assembly raised concerns over neglected infrastructure, particularly the East-West Road, and urged the federal government to prioritize critical projects like the Calabar-Lagos railway to support economic growth in oil-producing states.
Another key point was the need for policies that ensure greater local participation in the oil and gas sector, a vital industry located within the region but often excluding local investors.
In line with sustainable economic goals, PANDEF expressed optimism about the newly established African Energy Bank, which could provide financial support for local projects in green and sustainable energy.
To further economic growth, PANDEF recommended that Niger Delta states allocate 20% of their budgets to industrialization and agriculture and 25% to education.
They advocated for industrial parks and agricultural development, particularly in fisheries and food processing.
The assembly concluded with the inauguration of a new PANDEF National Executive Committee, led by Amb. (Dr.) Godknows Boladei Igali as National Chairman.
This leadership is charged with advancing PANDEF’s mission for equitable economic development and advocating for a prosperous future for the Niger Delta through peaceful engagement with federal and state governments.
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