Isoko traditional Council from Delta State has cried to President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver its people from marginalization being visited on them by the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta, according to Green Reporter.
Members of the Council who visited President Buhari in 2018, at the presidential Villa, Abuja, wanted the President to note that the Ministry of Niger Delta, which is an intervention one in the region, has forgotten about the Isoko Nation in its appropriation of Projects.
“To date, no meaningful project has been cited in Isoko since inception of this Ministry. The Isoko Nation has been grossly marginalized in allocation of projects by this Ministry.
“It will gladden our hearts sir, if you may graciously direct the Ministry to remember Isoko in its activities including projects, skill acquisitions centers and other related programmes.”
The traditional rulers told Buhari that the Isoko Ethic Nationality is one of the five major ethnic groups in Delta State with a population of over one Million People. They named other group as Urhobo, lbo, ljaw and Itsekiri.
“The Isokos, apart from those in the two Local Government Areas, (Isoko North and South) also form about 50% of the population in Ndokwa East, 20% in Udu, 15% in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State and 25% of the entire population of Sagbama Local Government Area in Bayelsa State.
“It will interest you to know that the Isoko became the second place where oil was discovered in 1958 at Uzere immediately after Oloibiri in the present State of Bayelsa. The Isoko Crude Oil contributes about 19% to the total output of the production quota that is coming from Delta State. Isoko land is a ajor Oil and Gas Producing Area with eight (8) Oil Fields: Viz Uzerekll roni, Ogini, Owhe, Olomoro/Oleh/Emede and adjourning flow stations at Agip Gas Field at Irri and Osekwenike in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Yet the wealth generated from Isoko Land has been used to develop other parts of the country at our expense and peril
“It is on record that the Isoko people have not only remained peaceful but had always thrown their weight behind the Government, we are not known for pipeline vandalism and no AVENGERS in Isoko Land.”
The Council presented other requests to the President as follows:
- INCREASE IN CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION IN ISOKO LAND (OML 28): WE WISH TO INFORM YOUR Excellency that about fifteen Oil Wells in Isoko Section of OML 28 has been locked up since November 29h 2001 by SPDC, thereby depriving the country of daily production of 19,000 barrels of Crude Oil which is a huge financial loss
We appeal to His Excellency to direct the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr, lbe Kachikwu to call on the Management of NNPCISPDC to immediately commence production in the Isoko Section of OML 28- Uzere East to increase revenue to Government and Development of the Area.
GAS FLARING/POLLUTION OF ISOKO NATION/MODULAR REFINERY With eight (8) oil fields of flow stations in Isoko Land, we appeal to His Excellency to direct NNPC to establish a gas plant and a modular Refinery in Isoko Land. It will be beneficial to the nation and it will equally create employment, generate income and better the lives of the citizenry.
It is also our appeal that Government should direct the Oil Companies operating in Isoko Land namely; NPDC, Heritage, SPDC and AGIP to create an enabling environment for investors to convert the Gas Flare to electricity and for the existence of a modular Refinery.
NDDC:
The management of NDDC should also be directed to execut Projects advertised for award and completion since March 2 and give special attention to Isoko Ethnic Nationality because of our peaceful nature.
In addition our Isoko Riverine Communities in Sagbama Local government Bayelsa State should be given special attention in area of land reclamation.
AMNESTY FOR NON-VIOLENT YOUTHS:
Your Excellency, the total exclusion of our entire Youths from the Amnesty you to graciously direct the Amnesty Office to include our youths in the total exclusion may send a wrong signal that to be peaceful is a crime.
EDUCATION:
- We most graciously demand for a Federal Institution to be cited in Isoko Land, particularly a Federal Polytechnic as none exist in Delta State at the moment. There are about six (6) state owned polytechnics
in Delta State.
We shall be very grateful if the State -owned Ozoro Polytechnic can be converted to a Federal Polytechnic.
- Your Excellency, It will be appreciated also, if you consider the Ofagbe Technical College in Isoko North Local Government Area, be converted to a Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC) since we have only two in Delta State instead of three. 6.
ABANDONED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ROADS IN ISOKO LAND:
Your Excellency, since the civil war, two Federal Roads have been abandoned in Isoko Land Emede – Oteri – Igbide – Uzere Road, and Ofagbe – Awa – lyede Ame Onogbokor – Umuoru Road. It is our fervent appeal that you use your good offices to direct the NDDC or Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to take over the construction of the above roads.
ESTABLISHMENT OF MODULAR REFINERY IN ISOKO LAND
Your Excellency, with the Isoko Nation’s Oil Fields and Flow Stations the Isoko people will be happy if Mr. President will graciously approve the location of a modular refinery in the area to help boost the economy. it will be beneficial to the Nigerian nation and create Employment Opportunities that equally engage our teeming youths in the area.
REQUEST FOR FEDERAL APPOINTMENT FOR ISOKO INDIGENES
Your Excellency, since 1975 when the late Chief Dr Benard Mafeni was appointed minster for Agriculture and National Resources, no lsoko man has been made Minister or Ambassador of the Federal republic. We will be most glad if you can break this jinx as one way of recognizing the Isoko people for their peaceful disposition.
BRINGING A STOP TO DESTRUCTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY
We join other well-meaning Nigerians on the appeal to set all machineries in motion to curb the incessant killings in some states in the country. The menace is creating negative image for the country and we strongly believe that stemming the trend quickly before the 2019 elections will be the best for the government and the nation at large.