Oil, gas-rich Ndokwa lament neglect, list demands to FG

A nine-point demand has been presented to the Federal Government by Ndokwa ethnic nationality of Delta State to appease the area while lamenting its marginalization and neglect.

It is also part of their contributions to end the persistent crisis in the oil-rich Niger Delta. The demands, available to the media yesterday, were presented by the member representing Ndokwa Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ossai Ossai, to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during the latter’s visit to Delta State as part of government’s search for solutions to the protracted crisis in the region.

The position paper was signed by the President-General of Ndokwa Neku or Ndokwa Nationality Union (NNU), High Chief Johnson Opone. It lamented that Ndokwaland, a major oil and gas area that produces 110,000 barrels daily since AGIP and its joint venture partners commenced operations since 1962 has virtually no commensurate development. 

Ndokwa hosts the AGIP/NNPC joint venture, which owns the 480MW Okpai Power Plant and the Kwale Gas Plant. Other exploration companies flaring gas in the area include Midwestern Oil & Gas, Energia, Platform, Pillar, Sterling Global and Chorus Energy.   

NNU stated: “ The Ndokwa people welcome His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as part of efforts being made to address the crisis occasioned by mindless marginalisation of the Niger Delta people. 
 
“We must confess that issues bordering on the Niger Delta did not start with the present administration; however, it is pertinent that we find a lasting solution to the challenges facing the Niger Delta people.  

“Ndokwa people are peace-loving people and have maintained a non-violent approach and must not be taken for granted as our youths are agitated already, hence the need to find solutions.

“Today, Ndokwa Nation is a major oil and gas community in the Niger Delta with AGIP and its joint venture partner’s haven commenced operations in 1962 and continues to do so in Ndokwa communities.  We are hosts to AGIP/NNPC joint venture, which owns the 480MW Okpai Power Plant and the Kwale Gas Plant all in Ndokwa land among others.  

“In addition, we have other companies operating in Ndokwa Land namely, Midwestern Oil & Gas, Energia, Platform, Pillar, Sterling Global and Chorus Energy.  “Today, Ndokwa Nation produces 110,000 barrels of crude oil per day.  When this quantum of production is translated into United State Dollar it tells the Ndokwa contribution to the national coffers.  

“It is worthy to note that the Okpai Power Plant was commissioned in  2005 by the then President, His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, who directed NNPC/AGIP to ensure that the host communities in Ndokwa land are given Electricity from Okpai Power Plant taken into cognisance the fact that Kwale Gas Plant supplies Gas to the Power Plant.

“Ndokwa Nation, of which I am the President General, has mandated me to put forward these demands which we considered necessary and fair to appease our people for so many years of neglect. ‘That a 132/33KV Transmission line from the National grid be  constructed with a sub-station in Kwale to service the Electricity need of the Ndokwa people: That a Federal Institution that is, a University or Polytechnic be sited in Ndokwa land as the Ndokwa people presently do not have any Federal Institution in our land; and That Ndokwa land presently has the largest deposits of Gas in the West Africa sub-region and it will only be fair that Ndokwa land owns an LNG project which will meet local demand and export.

“That our people be nominated for political appointment in the position of Ministers, Ambassadors and Head of Government Parastatals among others; That Ndokwa roads, especially those in Ndokwa East be given good roads to facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and for the movement of our people; and That a jetty be built at Ase and Okpai to facilitate water transportation. 

“That our people be appointed to various position in the oil companies operating in our communities; That the country be re-structured along the 6 geo-political zones whereby each zone will control its resources and contribute to the centre by paying taxes and the agreed percentages which will be enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and That a bridge be constructed to link Kwale with Okpai across the Ase -Creek (River).”Opone, however, applauded the administration of President Muhammadu  Buhari  for its efforts to resolve the Niger Delta crisis.