Photo Caption
MOSOP President, Prof Olu Anda-Wai Egosu in a group photograph with OWA members
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has expressed displeasure over the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs saying the development may lead to youths unrest within the region.
MOSOP, a social movement organisation representing the indigenous people of Rivers State in the South South region of Nigeria, stated that government failed to assess if the scraped ministry achieved the purpose of establishment or not pointing out that due diligence was not carried out before the announcement.
Only last week, the federal government scrapped the Niger Delta Ministry by replacing it with the newly created Ministry of Regional Development.
Reacting on the development, President of MOSOP, Prof. Olu Anda-Wai Egosu, while speaking at the weekend in Lagos during the Ogoni Welfare Association (OWA) reception for MOSOP leaders, lamented that the development might drag the region backwards.
Egosu reiterated that government would have engage critical stakeholders in the region before scrapping the ministry.
He explained that the disbandment of the ministry whilst it was yet to achieve its mandate was unnecessary.
On his part, Former President of MOSOP, Dr. Legborsi Piagbara,, said that there was supposed to be a time line for affirmative action.
He said affirmative action world over has time line adding that this may lead to the South South not measuring up with the South West.
He said the Ministry was supposed to have a clear mandate to know if it achieved the mandate it was created.
“I don’t know the time line for affirmative action on the establishment of the ministry. At what point did the government meet with the stakeholders to know how developed the region has been. Stopping it now if the purpose of the creation not been achieved then scrapping it is unnecessary,” the ex MOSOP President reiterated.
Meanwhile, the OWA Chairman, Engr. Migah Nwinmene, expressed satisfaction over the planning process of hosting the MOSOP top brass.
Nwinmene stated that Ogoni course was paramount to the association,adding that plans were ongoing to develop the environment.
He noted that Ogoni tribe was marginalized in Rivers State politics but added that with proper strategies by the indigenous people with like minds , there were indications that the table will turn around positively.
