Akpabio, Amaechi, Sylva Are Bad Representatives Of The Niger Delta region” – MOSIEND Alleges

A pan Niger Delta group, known as the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND), has asked the people of the Niger Delta region to hold Federal Government appointees from the region responsible for what they call the sprightly deteriorating development situation in the Niger Delta in last six years.

MOSIEND particularly pointed accusing fingers at Minister of State for petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister for Niger Delta affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, the current Minister for transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, as well as other political office holders from the region.

According to MOSIEND, the Niger Delta region and its people have not directly or indirectly felt the impact of their representation and stewardship at the centre of governance in the country.

The group also lamented that the region has suffered developmental setback since the Buhari administration took over in 2015, accusing Federal appointees from the region of doing nothing to attract development to their own part of the country which makes the largest contribution to the National purse.

The Group’s position is contained in a statement issued by its National Mobilization Officer, Alhaji Abubakar Amaigo Brown, after a consultative meeting with ethnic youth leaders from Rivers State and MOSIEND Executives from the Eastern Zone, ahead of a proposed Niger Delta Ethnic communities youth leaders conference.

The group also alleges that it is highly regrettable that six years into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, no Federal government appointee from the region, under the current dispensation, has used his privileged office to initiate and complete any meaningful project for the Niger Delta People.

“Our kinsmen (Ministers / Appointees) who are privileged to be at the corridors of power under the Buhari government have failed us, we are disappointed by their insensitive disposition to the plight of the region, they’re definitely not representing the interest and people of the region

“How many of the serving Ministers have approached Mr. President to suggest ways and means of implementing the 16 point agenda presented to the President since 2016 by PANDEF and Traditional Rulers in the region, what extra efforts have they made towards addressing some of the fundamental issues in the region where socio-economic development has remained on a standstill in the last six years.

We however acknowledge efforts made by Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, who rallied round key stakeholders to galvanize support from groups like PANDEF, Youth groups and elders of the region to intervene and douse tension amid renewed threats by the Avengers to destabilise the region” MOSIEND adds

The group attributed the deteriorating    insecurity situation in the region, unemployment, disquiet and disaffection in the Niger Delta to lack of synergy, unity of purpose and lack of capacity by those representing the region in the Federal Executive Council.

“It is unfortunate that Niger Delta Ministers under Buhari Government are not good politicians, and that’s why their supporters can defect in droves, how come their ardent supporters are so  hungry and looking ragtag.

“Meanwhile, their counterparts from other regions especially in the North and West have held several joint conferences, summits and strategic engagements across party divides to collectively address their situations. Unfortunately, ours are positioned in a daggers drawn posture”, the group alleges.

MOSIEND wonders why the current crop of Ministers who performed well as Governors in their respective States in the Niger Delta are now finding it difficult to influence development to the region with their current portfolios in the Federal Executive Council.