By Editor
With the view to correct the wrongs and ensure justice, equity and fairness, the House of Representatives Public Petition Committee has told the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh to accord the Oil Producing Edo South Senatorial District of Edo State all the privileges and entitlements due to them in terms of appointment and projects allocation in subsequent budgets.
This, according to the committee, is to avoid a repeat of the deprivation allegedly wrought on them in the 2024 budget and it would also serve as adequate compensation for the oil and gas producing communities of Edo state who have been denied their natural entitlements as host communities.
These were contained in a report released by the Public Petition Committee of the National Assembly after acting on a petition to the house by the Benin National Congress (BNC), over what the Benin socio- cultural group described as “Unwanted marginalisation and exploitation of the Oil and Gas producing communities of Edo State” by the Niger Delta Affairs Minister, especially as it affects projects allocation in the 2034 budget.
Disclosing the content of the report to newsmen in Benin City, Amb. Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo, President, Benin National Congress worldwide, said ” it should be said that the Public Petition Committee (PPC) agreed with our positions wholeheartedly with commitment not only to avoid a repeat of the scandalous show of primordial ethnic bias of the current Minister, Abubakar Momoh in the said appropriation, but to ensure that adequate compensation is accorded Benin Land and/or oil/gas communities for the deprivation wrought on the region in the 2024 budget.
” While we commend and appreciate the action of the Public Petition Committee (PPC) of the National Assembly on our petition, we find this recommendation as merely sanctimonious, patronizing and a scratch on the surface of the minister’s indiscretion.
“To that extent, our stand is to escalate this matter until every strand of benefit connected with oil production; including appointments are appropriated to Benin oil producing communities; as of right.
“We are strengthened by the knowledge of the fact of history that nations or powers that have attempted the snobbery of the Benin nation do so with eternal regret”
“Going Forward, we are indebted to the past and the future in this historical task to be vigilant and relentless in the matters pertaining to the protection of our patrimony.
“This is why in our petition to the House of Representatives Public Petition Committee (BNC) highlighted and emphasised on the following: “That Edo South Senatorial District account for 100% of the crude oil/gas from Edo State.
“That Edo South Senatorial District is the reason for crude Oil/Gas special benefits whatsoever and however accorded to Edo State.
“That Edo State, other than by geography, a focal State of the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs because of the crude oil/natural gas in Edo South Senatorial District (Benin Land).
“That the appointment of Mr. Abubakar Momoh as Niger Delta Affairs Minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is directly proportional to the grace’ of the oil and gas producing potentials of Edo South Senatorial District – being the oily senatorial district with oil and gas in Edo State.
And it is noteworthy to underline, that we bear no grudge against the Minister over President’s exercise of his prerogative.
“That Edo South Senatorial District must take priority over and above the other two (2) Senatorial Districts of Central and North in terms of benefits accruing and/or deriving from crude oil/natural gas production and
“That was criminal to appropriate for capital projects of the ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs with virtually 95% of the projects to be located in oil-dry Estako Land”.
Ambassador Edokpolo paid a glowing tribute to the Present, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President, Kassim Shettima, Senate President, Speaker House of Representatives, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, all National Assembly members from Edo State, especially Hon. Murphy Omoruyi (Member, representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency), through whom BNC petition was presented to the house on the 8th of February 2024 before a team of the BNC interfaced with the House of Representatives.
Public Petitions Committee on 7th March and 18th April respectively and all members of the BNC board of trustees for their support during the struggle.
Edokpolo however vowed that BNC will continue to support the Benin nation in guiding its dignity jealously and intolerable of any act calculated to tarnish or undermine her land and people.
“In addition, BNC will not also compromise any attempt to deny the Benin Oil Communities of their natural entitlements, but more particularly to spite and/or sideline the collective intelligence and sensibilities of our people, culture and heritage”
