This is the Communique, as signed by the President General and Secretary General of NNU. it could be recalled that Ndokwa Reporters has exclusively reported on the communique immediately after the meeting was held in Kwale. The following is as received.
Ndokwa Neku Union: Communique On Stakeholders’ Meeting Held On 8TH APRIL, 2017
Kwale: The Ndokwa Neku Union Stakeholders’ meeting held on the 8th of April, 2017 at Kwale articulated issues and challenges for the social-cultural bonding of our people and the economic development of Ndokwa land and its people in the affairs of Delta state and the Nigerian Nation. The meeting was attended by over 200 delegates across Ndokwa land with stakeholders coming from Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani Local Government Areas. Among those who graced the occasion were: Rear Admiral Mike Onah (Rtd), Brig. Gen. Mike Ndubusi (Rtd), Prof. Ebele Egwuyenga, Prof. (Mrs) Grace Ogwu, Hon. Benedicta Osakunih-Izuegbu, Hon Sir Ken Okolugbo, Amb. (Sir) Dele Omenogor, Hon. Sam Osasa and Engr. Dan Ossai. Also in attendance were delegates of Ukwuani Foundation Union(UFU) and Ndosumili Development Union(NDU) both from Lagos and the President General of the 37 clans in Ndokwa land.
Goodwill messages were received from our eminent sons and daughters who were unavoidably absent with some outside the Country amongst whom are: Senator Patrick Osakwe, Brig. Gen. Philip Onyekweli (Rtd), Dr (Mrs) Esther Uduehi, Rt. Hon. Ossai N Ossai, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi, Hon Fidelis Tilijie and Prof. Steve Okecha, a one time President General of the union.
The meeting commended the peace efforts of His Excellency , the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and the unique role being played by the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Prof. Yemi Osibanjo together with Brig. Paul Boroh, Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty. We also want to specially commend the Delta State Government Governor, His Excellency Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for his tremendous work in Niger Delta peace movements.
The Stakeholders’ Summit reached a consensus on the following matters that needs urgent attention with a view to addressing the visible neglect and marginalisation of the Ndokwa people and land where oil was first struck in 1963 by Agip Nigeria Limited. It must be noted that the situation has grown to include other operators without any economic and social benefit to our people. The following are the matters on which the Stakeholders’ Summit reached a consensus :
1. That Ndokwa Nation aggregate Crude Oil production currently stands at 110,000 barrels per day, a significant quantum of the daily production of crude oil in Nigeria and therefore a major contributor to the fore ign exchange earnings and the national wealth since 1963. We therefore call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to do the following:
a) That a Federal University or Federal Polytechnic be sited in Ndokwa land as no Federal Institution is presently in Ndokwa land.
b) That since Ndokwa land has the largest gas reserve in the West African Sub-region; it is only fair and equitable that an “LNG” project be conceived for Ndokwa land by “NNPC” and its Joint Venture Partners.
c) That Ndokwa land be chosen for the Federal Government Agricultural Projects. Our people are ready to key into the projects by providing the land for Rice Cultivation and Rice Mills for which Federal Government is presently providing assistance to boost self sufficiency in Rice production.
d) That the Ndokwa people are saddened with the non execution of the second phase of the road project from Iselegu to Okpai in Ndokwa East LGA and passionately appeal that the road should be given priority to ensure that the original project, that is, Obiaruku to Iselegu/Iselegu to Okpai brings the full benefits to our people through the commencement of the second phase. Notwithstanding that the second phase is yet to be awarded, Stakeholders expressed satisfaction on the phase one i.e Obiaruku to Iselegu Junction. Furthermore, the Emu to Abbi “NDDC” project awarded and abandoned should be reawarded immediately as the road is a vital economic link between Ndokwa and Isoko/Urhobo ethnic groups.
e) That as a matter of urgency, a 132/33 KVA Transmission line and sub station be awarded immediately as we were informed that the Federal Government has already made provision for a transmission line to link Kwale from Okpai Power Plant in line with the promise made by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 while commissioning the Okpai Power Plant. It should be noted that Ndokwa land is in total darkness not notwithstanding the fact that it hosts the 480 MW Power Plants at Okpai.
f) That “NNPC” and “Agip Nigeria Limited should provide the production quantum of Gas produced by the Company. The data to give details of gas utilized by Okpai Power Plant and the gas piped to their Obrikom Gas Pipeline in Rivers State and transported to “LNG” facility for exports.
g) That qualified Ndokwa Sons and Daughters be given prominent and political appointments by Federal Government of Nigeria as none is holding any top Federal Government appointment despite our contributions to the National economy.
h) That good road network be built across Ndokwa Nation with special emphasis given to Ndokwa East LGA which has been neglected over the years by the various agencies of Government.
i) That pipeline surveillance contracts be given to host community contractors with the capacity to perform as this will ensure safety and inclusion under the local content policy.
2. We commend the effort of His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa on the ongoing projects across the state and in Ndokwa land and call on our amiable Governor to do more for Ndokwa people as a people marginalised by successive Governments in Nigeria, notwithstanding our contributions to the national revenue from Oil and Gas.
a) That there is the need to immediately increase Ndokwa Quota in “DESOPADEC” Project Distribution Quota from the derivation fund from the present 9% to 20% in view of the fact that Ndokwa currently produces approximately 110,000 barrels of Crude Oil per day which is approximately 5% of the national production.
b) That all Legal and Due process be put in place for the smooth take off of Aboh Polytechnic and Kwale Industrial College of Technology. In addition, we appeal to the Government and its agencies to provide the needed facilities in the campus of School of Marine Technology in Kwale.
c) That State and Inter Communities roads be taken up as a priority using the derivation fund generated from Ndokwa Land at State and “DESOPADEC” levels.
d) That Health facilities in Ndokwa Land be upgraded especially Kwale General Hospital which is one of the oldest in Nigeria.
e) That the State Government should as a matter of urgency tackle the menace and security challenges arising from Herdsmen across the State.
3. We call on all our people to sheathe their swords and avoid communal crisis which does not in anyway foster unity and economic development but rather cause the people anguish and sorrow due to loss of lives and properties.
Finally, the meeting agreed that “NNU” should liaise with the Oil Companies and Government Agencies in the Petroleum Industry to ensure that our people and the Host Communities are not short changed in Contracts and appointments in line with the Local Content policy of the Federal Government.
Dated 8th day of April, 2017
High Chief J Opone FCA Rev. Jonathan Dike
President General Secretary General
