By Ebi Jones
The leadership of the Delta Ijaw Youth Movement for Political Advancement has congratulated with the chairman of the newly constituted Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Hon. Michael Diden (EJELE).
In a statement signed by the Delta Ijaw Youth Movement for Political Advancement (DIYMPA) President, Comrade John Dekawei said the appointment was for unity of Deltans that cut across ethnicities, even as inability to develop towns and villages in the area was traced to greed.
The statement read, “We wish to specially send our heartfelt message of congratulations to the Newly Appointed Chairman of the DESOPADEC Board Hon. Michael Diden (EJELE).
“As a body that has always advocated for political crossbreeds among the ethnicities in Nigeria, we do not see this appointment as a divisive tool but as another opportunity to show our unity amidst ethno-cultural diversity.
“The strength of our nation lies on our unity and tolerance and as such we want to let you know that your appointment is for the entire state and not just a section of the state.”
The statement went further, “A meticulous assessment of the ethnic groups in Delta state most especially the residents of the riverine areas will reveal that our challenges and problems are similar if not the same. Our inability to develop our various towns and villages is ocassioned by sheer greed.
“As a young man who had experienced the bitter tales of the life in the creeks, we are very much confident that you are conversant with the pains of the oil producing communities and at a vantage position to redirect the affairs of the commission to achieve its vision, which is primarily, the development of the dejected oil producing communities in Delta State.
“We therefore implore you to maximise your managerial skill and expertise in your new office to actualize a new order in the history of the commission – a new order that will bring about peace, unity and sustainable development in the oil producing areas of Delta State.
“Your appointment is and will always be seen as an appointment for all oil producing areas of the state given your antecedents as an advocate for development of the impoverished oil rich Niger Delta region.
“We are also by this statement calling upon all ethnicities in Delta state to accept the appointment of Hon. Michael Diden (EJELE) as the chairman of the board in good faith and to continue to pray for him and to play our respective roles morally, intellectually and advisory to make his tenure in office significant vis-a-vis the development of the oil producing areas in the state.
“Once again, Congratulations!”
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