By Odili Ogochukwu
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Public Relations Officer of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council, Comr. Enudi Marcus has asked the Federal Government of Nigeria to steer clear of the natural resources in the region.
Comr Enudi Marcus who made this known at Port Harcourt, Rivers State called on the Federal Government to concede authority to Niger Delta to manage its natural resources the same way the Northern States manage theirs.
The Image Maker advocated for control of their natural endowment (oil) just as the Northerners lord their natural resources (gold) without interference from the South.
Comr. Enudi stated that the oil proceed from the Niger Delta is used for the development of the North while the gold proceed from the North is not used to develop the South.
“It is not balanced when the oil proceeds from the Niger Delta is used for the development of the North; funding North East Development Council (NEDC), while the gold proceeds from the North is never used to fund anything related to Niger Delta.”
“In order to ensure ONE NIGERIA, all natural resources should be placed on the National table and its proceeds be directed toward the progress of the six geo political zones in the country,” he said.
It is also recalled that a concerned group, Ndokwa Neku Union in a press conference at Kwale, Delta State gave Federal Government 14 days to address their demands which they described as ‘utter neglect’ as an oil producing nation or they would cripple the oil and gas operations in the country.
Enudi Marcus however noted that the Northerners exercise unlimited control on the resources in both the southern and northern parts of the country because of disunity in the Niger Delta.
While describing the disunity in the region as a great loss, Comr. Enudi, who is also the Image Maker of Southern Youths Leaders of Nigeria called for unity among Niger Deltans, urging them to speak in one voice irrespective of party affiliations to attract meaningful development to the region.
