By Hauwa Ali
Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), had urged Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to take seriously, the clearance of water hyacinth on the region’s waterways to ensure safe boat and marine movement, adding that clearing of water hyacinth will speed recovery from flood devastation.
The group made the urge over the weekend in a statement signed by the MOSIEND President, Kennedy Tonjo-West, after meeting with Ethnic groups in Yenagoa.
They recommended payment for completed and verified contracts for the clearance of water hyacinth on the region’s waterways and award of new jobs as hyacinth has virtually covered the waterways along the creeks of the region.
They noted that the development has made it unsafe for boats and other Marine vessels to navigate.
“Also we urge them to review and pay the proposed agricultural grants to cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to revive and rebuild the local economy of the Region.
Related Posts
“It is pathetic that the local economy of the Niger Delta states, namely Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Ondo and other contiguous states have been devastated by the flood.
“The states in the region are therefore in dire need of rehabilitation and resuscitation of their economy.
“We have implicit confidence in the managerial capability of the Niger Delta Affairs Minister, and lauded the good intentions he has for the people of the region,” MOSIEND stated.
The group noted that if prompt attention is given to these appeals, it will go a long way towards alleviating the massive poverty induced by the ravaging floods, and the deliberate abandonment of strategic recurrent policies that ought to serve as bolsters to grassroots socio-economic activities.
The group further urged the ministry to also prioritize agriculture while appealing to the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, and the newly-appointed Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, to utilise the two areas to revive economic activities that will reflate the economy of the region.
They alleged that the immediate past Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswil Akpabio’s policies encouraged mediocrity and mismanagement of funds budget for the region, warning that any attempt to divert the approved budge of the ministry and NDDC will be resisted.
They maintained that the budget for Niger Delta is not intended to service the bourgeois in the society but development of the region.
