A Niger Delta group, Movement for Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has urged President Bola Tinubu to consolidate on his initial steps and revive the ailing economy to curb the current hardships faced by Nigerians.
Mr Kennedy Tonjo-West, National President of MOSIEND on Sunday called on Tinubu to vacate the position of Minister of Petroleum for a core expert to run the oil industry professionally.
The Ijaw leader spoke in an interview in Yenagoa on projections for the incoming year.
Tonjo-West noted that the move would enable the country to leverage on the benefits of removal of subsidy on petrol and deregulation of the oil and gas sector.
He said that Tinubu exhibited uncommon courage by removing the subsidy on petrol which previous administrations lacked the political will to handle adding that the oil sector needs the dexterity of a technocrat to drive policies at this phase.
He applauded the President for sensitivity to the plight of the Niger Delta region notably on appointment of credible and competent people from the region into his cabinet and the Niger Delta Development Commision (NDDC).
“As MOSIEND we commend President Bola Tinubu for the calibre of Ministers he appointed from the region into his cabinet, we trust their ability to deliver on their mandate hence bringing immense value to his government. We commend Mr President for listening to the people of the Niger Delta by constituting the NDDC Board and the quality of professionals he appointed.
“They all understand the pains and sufferings of the people, especially the oil bearing communities, as such, have been engaging with critical stakeholders to find collective and sustainable solutions that will improve the standards of living of the people, at least better than the previous government.
“Our expectations are simple and shouldn’t take Mr President time to implement and write his name on the sands of time. He should resign as Minister of Petroleum, we recommend that he makes the Minister of State for petroleum as the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources for better productivity and performance.
“But if he wants to show that his decision to be the petroleum minister is for a sincere and honest purpose, he should as well make himself the Minister of Mines and Steel in order to identify and uncover the humongous corruption in the ministry,” he said .
The MOSIEND President said the Niger Delta region expects Mr President to adequately fund the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, prompt payment of the outstanding arrears owed the NDDC to enable them to bring the developmental needs of the people of the region.
“We are expecting Mr President to site more developmental projects in the Niger Delta. We want the government to take NPA Port Harcourt terminal from BUA and Dangote as the terminal is facing serious depreciation and not creating the desired employment and economic progress like Tincan and Apapa in Lagos.
“We want Mr President to demonstrate his willingness to end illegal bunkering by issuing licences to locals who have indicated interest on the modular refinery and site more projects in the littoral areas of the region. Mr President should instruct the department keeping the monies paid by companies that violate gas flare laws by causing hazards to the people of the Oil producing communities to immediately release such monies to the communities.
“We want Mr President to direct an upward review of the Presidential Amnesty programme PAP, as the programme has suffered huge setback as the former NSA intentionally stifled the programme with funds because of his desperate disposition to shut down the programme at all cost,” Tonjo-West said.