ABOH/Nigeria: The Beneku community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area has expressed the fear that the continued neglect of its position as the ‘Economic Nerve of Ndokwa East’ will further rob them of their dues and called for the appointment of their indigene as Commissioner in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC)
The community made the demand at the end of an emergency meeting to review government commitment for appointment of Beneku indigenes as DESOPADEC Commissioner, noting that since inception of the appointment of representative of OMPADEC, 13% Derivation and DESOPADEC, Beneku community has been short changed.
One of the leading campaigners and a Development Consultant, Hawkins Olomu, said the Beneku community was supporting one of their illustrious sons, Elder Anthony Okwuagu, for the position following his experience in OMPADEC, 13 per cent Derivation and DESOPADEC, stressing that it was their considered view that Beneku community produces the next DESOPADEC Commissioner from Ndokwa East.
According to him, as an oil producing community, “Oil spills in the community by the oil firms has polluted the soil, water and air quality while human rights implication are serious in the case of Beneku community that has received no attention and compensation from Government in the appointment of OMPADEC, 13% derivation and DESOPADEC Commission since inception”.
Mr. Olomu, who is also a Consultant in Oil and Gas Development, stated that after a review of the political appointment so far, it indicated a state of marginalization and oppression of the “Economic Nerve of Ndokwa East” Called Beneku Community.
He explained that the community had written to the governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, pleading with him to remedy the situation since appointment into DESOPADEC has “revolved round Okpai and Aboh zone/areas leaving Beneku community with no appointment in the Commission”
Mr. Olomu said that the community wants the Governor to “once again in the interest of peace, unity and equity to convene an investigation committee to verify our demands for appointment into the DESOPADEC Commission”, adding that the position of Beneku Community to produce the next DESOPADEC Commissioner remains unchanged.
