•Says money spent on gunships, fighter jets enough to develop the region
A call has gone to President Muhammadu Buhari to fund numerous development projects that are on-going in the Niger Delta region, particularly the coastal area which is a very difficult terrain that no normal human being will love to stay in with the present condition.
In the same vein, he urged Mr President to stop wasting money on the deployment of military men and wares as well as carrying out military exercises such as operation crocodile smile and octopus grip by the Army and Navy respectively.
Making this call is High Chief Government Ekpemupolo through a release signed by his Media Consultant, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo and made available to newsmen.
According to Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, it must be pointed out that mere acknowledgement of the fast deteriorating condition of the Niger Delta region by the government is not enough but effort should be made to solve those problems.
According to Chief Tompolo, at the last count, there are over 20 military houseboats in the creeks of Gbaramatu kingdom alone and so much is provided by the government in taking care of the military men and wares in that region without achieving the purpose they are being drafted to the area, as the agitation for development of the region continues on a daily basis.
In his words, “Government cannot continue to harass and intimidate the people of the region with military might. What the region needs is simply development. And that is what the previous administration meant when it established the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.
The Niger Delta Activist pointed out that previous government also approved the electrification of Escravos and environs, which has gone half-way, only to be discontinued by the present administration.
In the same token, the EPZ Gas City and Deep-Sea Port Project well thought out by the previous administration to significantly address the issue of unemployment in Nigeria has been abandoned. All these according to Chief Tompolo is unfair.
The Ijaw High Chief further stressed that the huge sums of money used to deploy military houseboats, gunships and fighter jets is enough to fund the Nigerian Maritime University and other development projects in the region.
He, therefore, urged the government to change the paradigm of military deployment to paradigm of development and see that relative peace will certainly be attained.
Support Quality Journalism in the Niger Delta Region
Join us in our mission to bring development journalism, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness to the forefront. Your contribution makes a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Donate today and be a part of the change!
